144 Vande Bharat Train Services Now Running Across India

New Delhi — The Indian Railways has expanded its modern fleet with 144 Vande Bharat services now operating across the country’s broad gauge electrified network.

Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw shared the update in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha, underscoring the government’s efforts to modernise rail infrastructure.

Vande Bharat trains, designed and developed by Indian Railways, are semi-high-speed services offering faster, safer, and more comfortable travel. Key features include quick acceleration, the Kavach collision avoidance system, sealed gangways, automatic plug doors, and enhanced ride comfort.

Onboard amenities comprise mini pantries with hot cases, bottle coolers, deep freezers, and hot water boilers. Passengers also benefit from reclining ergonomic seats, revolving seats in executive class, mobile charging points at every seat, dedicated lavatories for Divyangjan passengers, and CCTV surveillance for enhanced security.

The minister said these trains help reduce congestion on busy routes while keeping travel safe and affordable. Popularity is rising — in 2024-25, nearly 3 crore passengers travelled on Vande Bharat Express services, with 93 lakh more using them between April and June 2025.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday inaugurated the Vande Bharat service between Bengaluru and Belagavi in Karnataka, boarding the train and interacting with students during the journey. At the station, he waved to staff before flagging off the service.

The PM also launched two other Vande Bharat routes — Amritsar to Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra and Nagpur (Ajni) to Pune. The Bengaluru event was attended by Karnataka Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Union Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, Union Minister of State for Railways V. Somanna, Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao, and BJP State President B.Y. Vijayendra.

As the Belagavi-bound train departed, the Prime Minister and other dignitaries waved to passengers on board.

With inputs from IANS