The trains are part of a major programme to re-equip the national carrier on long-distance routes.
Transmashholding (TMH) has won a tender to design, supply and maintain 120 Vande Bharat 16-car long-distance electric trains for state-owned Indian Railways, chief executive Kirill Lipa told reporters, according to TASS.
The terms of the tender call for the contract to be signed by 1 June 2023. The contract calls for a payment of USD1.8 billion to supply the trains and USD 2.5 billion for their maintenance over 35 years. Taking indexation into account, the total value of the contract could reach USD 6.5 billion.
“The decision has been made, but the document itself has not been signed, <…> [it will be signed – TASS) in 45 days from 29 March,” Lipa said. The trains are part of a major programme to re-equip the national carrier on long-distance routes. The trains will be able to reach speeds of up to 160 km per hour. According to TASS, Alstom, Stadler, Siemens and a consortium of local manufacturers led by Titagarh and BHEL also took part in the tender.
Production will be located at the Indian Railways Marathwada Rail Coach Factory in Latur (Maharashtra state). Delivery of the trains is expected to take place between 2026 and 2030, while the first two prototypes will be ready for testing by the end of 2025.
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