Namo Bharat | |
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![]() Namo Bharat Train in Meerut | |
![]() Interior of the trainset. | |
In service | 2023–present |
Manufacturer | Alstom Transport India Limited [1] |
Designer | Alstom in Hyderabad [1] |
Assembly | Alstom in Savli [1] |
Built at | Alstom Savli plant (formerly Bombardier Transportation) [1] |
Constructed | 8 May 2022 [1] |
Entered service | 20 October 2023 |
Number built | 210 [2] |
Number in service | 1 |
Formation | 8 or 16 cars per trainset |
Capacity | 407 (seating) 1,061(standing) [3] |
Owners | NCRTC |
Operators | DB RRTS Operations India Pvt. Ltd. [4] |
Depots | 1 |
Lines served | 1 |
Specifications | |
Car body construction | stainless steel body |
Car length | 22 m [2] |
Width | 3.20 m [2] |
Doors | Automatic [1] |
Maximum speed |
|
Power supply | 25 kV 50 Hz AC |
HVAC | yes |
Safety system(s) | ETCS Level 2 with ATO subsystem supported by Nokia 4.9G/LTE private wireless network [5] |
Seating | 2x2 [1] |
Track gauge | 1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) standard gauge |
The Namo Bharat is an Indian Electric multiple unit (EMU) train built for RapidX (Regional Rapid Transit services). [6] The train was designed by the French rolling stock manufacturer Alstom at its engineering centre in Hyderabad, Telangana, and was manufactured in Savli, Gujarat. The train has an aerodynamic design which reduces the drag when it travels. The train has a design speed of 180 km/h (110 mph) and is operated at a speed of 160 km/h (99 mph). [1] [7]
Currently, it is running and operational on Delhi Meerut RRTS system.
As the RapidX service was conceived, there was a need for a new semi-high-speed trainset, specifically built for the purpose of semi-high-speed regional rail travel. [8] In accordance with the Make in India initiative, the train sets were set to be locally built after the National Capital Region Transport Corporation (NCRTC) opened the tenders for the same in 2019. [9] In early 2020, NCRTC finalised the procurement of train set, which were set to be manufactured by Bombardier Transportation in Savli. The tender was finalised for the train to have 50% of the local components as opposed to the original requirement of 75% in line with the Make in India initiative. [10] Later in the year, the train's design was unveiled to the public. The stainless steel body of the train was designed to have a maximum speed of 180 km/h. [11]
On 19 October 2023, the trainset was named Namo Bharat. [12]
On 20 October 2023, the trainset was officially inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and entered service.
On 21 October 2023, the trainset made its commercial debut in the Duhai - Sahibabad section. [13]
The train is designed to have a stainless steel body with an aerodynamic nose cone to reduce the air drag resistance produced while travelling at higher speeds. [1] The train is relatively lighter in weight thanks to its stainless steel body. For easier entry and exit, each car is equipped with six doors, three on each side, excluding the Business class which has four doors, two on each side. Each car has double glazed, tempered safety glass windows. [11]
The train has a 2x2 seating arrangement with adequate legroom for the passengers. The aisles have grab handles and poles for standing passengers during the peak hours. Since it is built for regional rail service, it has an overhead luggage rack. When it comes to digital features the train has on-board Wi-Fi, a public announcement and display system, an infotainment display, a dynamic route map display and emergency communication facilities. For efficient consumption of energy, the trainsets include ambient lighting and temperature control systems. The train is also accessible with a dedicated wheelchair space. When it comes to safety, the train is equipped with a fire & smoke detector, CCTV, fire extinguisher and door status indicator along with innovative Train Control Monitoring System technology, and its predictive and condition-based monitoring features. [11]
The trainset is equipped with a new signalling technology called "ETCS L3 hybrid technology over LTE" which helps contribute to safety, facilitating interoperability, reducing wait time and enabling efficiency. There are plans to equip the trainset with Automatic Train Operation (ATO) over Long Term Evolution (LTE) in the future to further increase network performance and capacity. [13]
The Namo Bharat trainset was brought into service when the Delhi Meerut RRTS (RapidX) line was inaugurated on 20 October 2023. The trainset is expected to be used in other proposed RapidX routes as well. [12]
Indian Railways operates India's railway system and comes under the purview of the Ministry of Railways of Government of India. As of 2023, it maintains over 108,706 km (67,547 mi) of tracks and operates over 13,000 trains daily. According to the Ministry of Railways, a route capable of supporting trains operating at more than 160 km/h (100 mph) is considered as a higher speed or semi-high speed rail line.
The National Capital Region Transport Corporation (NCRTC) is a joint venture company of the Government of India and the states of Haryana, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, and Delhi. The NCRTC is the owner of RapidX, the Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) project across the National Capital Region (NCR), inaugurated on 20 October 2023. It is operated by Deutsche Bahn.
The Meerut Metro is an under-construction rapid transit system, which will serve the city of Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, India. It is being built in two phases, of which the first phase with the first line will cover 23.6 km (14.7 mi) with 13 stations, from Modipuram to Meerut South. It will have nine elevated, three underground stations, one at-grade station as the depot station at Modipuram, and four stations integrated with the Delhi–Meerut Regional Rapid Transit System on a single corridor, making the metro the first such rapid transit system in India to be merged directly with a regional transit system. The second phase will include a second line covering 15 km (9.3 mi) from Shradhapuri Phase-II to Jagrati Vihar, with 12 stations, out of which seven will be elevated and five will be underground, thereby taking the overall length to 38.6 km (24.0 mi). The metro will also be the fastest metro of India, at an operational speed of 120 km/h (75 mph).
The Delhi–Meerut Regional Rapid Transit System is a partially operational 82.15 km (51.05 mi)-long semi high-speed rail and regional transit corridor that will connect the National Capital Region (NCR) cities of Delhi, Ghaziabad and Meerut. It is the first of the four rapid rail corridors planned under the first phase of the RapidX project managed by the National Capital Region Transport Corporation (NCRTC). Designed to allow a maximum speed of 180 km/h (110 mph), the distance between Delhi and Meerut will be covered in less than 60 minutes. The project is being executed at a cost of ₹30,274 crore (US$3.6 billion). It will start from Jangpura as the starting station, run through Sarai Kale Khan, the terminal for the three planned corridors, both in Delhi, and end in Modipuram in Meerut. It will have 16 stations and two depots at Duhai and Modipuram.
Delhi–Alwar Regional Rapid Transit System is a 164 km long under-construction semi-high speed rail corridor connecting Delhi, Gurgaon, Rewari and Alwar. It is one of the three RapidX corridors planned under Phase-1 of the Rapid Rail Transport System of the National Capital Region Transport Corporation (NCRTC). With maximum speed of 160 km/h and average speed of 105 km/h, the distance between Delhi and Alwar will be covered in 104 minutes. The project is expected to cost ₹37,000 crores.
The Delhi–Panipat Regional Rapid Transit System is an approved, 103 km (64 mi) long, semi-high speed rail corridor connecting Delhi, Sonipat, and Panipat in the National Capital Region. It is one of the three RapidX corridors planned under Phase-1 of the Rapid Rail Transport System of the National Capital Region Transport Corporation (NCRTC). With maximum speed of 160 km/h and average speed of 120 km/h, commuters using the system will be able to cover the distance between Panipat and Delhi in 65 minutes. The project is expected to cost ₹ 21,627 crores.
The Vande Bharat sleeper trainset, formerly known as Train-20 is an under development high-speed, long-distance electric multiple unit (EMU) train designed to replace the Rajdhani Express. It is being developed based on existing short-distance Vande Bharat, differing in exterior body, sleeping berths, and onboard amenities due to its long-distance service.
Sarai Kale Khan RRTS station is an under construction RRTS station in South East Delhi district, Delhi, India which will serves mainly higher-speed trains. It will serve as the terminus for higher-speed trains on the Delhi–Meerut Regional Rapid Transit System that can reach speeds of up to 180 km/h. This station will serve as a Terminus station on the 3 priority RRTS corridors of the first phase.
Sahibabad RRTS station is an elevated terminal RRTS station in the Ghaziabad district of Uttar Pradesh, India which will serve for higher-speed trains on the Delhi–Meerut Regional Rapid Transit System that can reach speeds of up to 180 km/h. The station is powered by solar energy, with 1,100 solar panels on the station's roof.
Ghaziabad RRTS station is an elevated RRTS station in the Ghaziabad district of Uttar Pradesh, India which serves for higher-speed trains on the Delhi–Meerut Regional Rapid Transit System that can reach speeds of up to 180 km/h. The station is powered by solar energy, with 1,100 solar panels on the station's roof.
Anand Vihar RRTS station is an under construction RRTS station in East Delhi district, Delhi, India which will serves mainly higher-speed trains. It is the only underground station of the Delhi–Meerut Regional Rapid Transit System. It will serve for higher-speed trains on the Delhi–Meerut RRTS that can reach speeds of up to 180 km/h.
The RapidX is a rapid rail system operated by the National Capital Region Transport Corporation (NCRTC) in India's National Capital Region (NCR). The goal of the RapidX is to replace the conventional non-air-conditioned MEMU-operated local train network with a rapid rail system. The semi-high speed trainsets which are providing services on RapidX have been named as Namo Bharat and have an average speed of 100 km/h (62 mph).
Guldhar RRTS station is an elevated RRTS station in the Ghaziabad district of Uttar Pradesh, India. This serves as a RRTS station for higher-speed trains on the Delhi–Meerut Regional Rapid Transit System that reaches speeds of up to 180 km/h.
Duhai RRTS station is an elevated RRTS station in the Ghaziabad district of Uttar Pradesh, India. This will serve as a RRTS station for higher-speed trains on the Delhi–Meerut Regional Rapid Transit System that can reach speeds of up to 180 km/h.
Duhai Depot RRTS station is an At-Grade terminal RRTS station in Uttar Pradesh, India. This will serve as a RRTS station for higher-speed trains on the Delhi–Meerut Regional Rapid Transit System that can reach speeds of up to 180 km/h. This will be the depot for all Namo Bharat trainsets for maintenance purposes.
Murad Nagar RRTS station is an elevated RRTS station in the Muradnagar city of Uttar Pradesh, India. This serves as a RRTS station for higher-speed trains on the Delhi–Meerut Regional Rapid Transit System that reaches speeds of upto 180 km/h.
Modinagar South RRTS station is an elevated RRTS station in the Modinagar town of Ghaziabad district in Uttar Pradesh, India. This serves as a RRTS station for higher-speed trains on the Delhi–Meerut Regional Rapid Transit System that can reach speeds of up to 180 km/h.
Modinagar North RRTS station is an elevated RRTS station in the Modinagar town of Ghaziabad district in Uttar Pradesh, India. This serves as a RRTS station for higher-speed trains on the Delhi–Meerut Regional Rapid Transit System that can reach speeds of up to 180 km/h.
Meerut South RRTS station is the terminal station of the Delhi–Meerut Regional Rapid Transit System located in the Partapur town of Uttar Pradesh, India. This is the first RRTS station in Meerut for higher-speed trains on the Delhi–Meerut RRTS that can reach speeds of up to 180 km/h. After multiple trial runs of Duhai - Meerut South RRTS stretch were conducted successfully, the section was opened on 18 August 2024, along with the existing 34-km Sahibabad-Modinagar North stretch of the RRTS.
The Ghaziabad–Jewar Regional Rapid Transit System is a proposed 72.29 km (44.92 mi)-long semi high-speed rail and regional transit corridor that will connect the National Capital Region (NCR) cities of Ghaziabad, Noida and Noida International Airport at Jewar. It is the fourth of the four rapid rail corridors planned under the first phase of the RapidX project managed by the National Capital Region Transport Corporation (NCRTC). It will be built to allow a maximum speed of 180 km/h (110 mph), and the distance between Ghaziabad, Noida and its airport will be covered in less than 40–50 minutes. The project will be executed at a cost of around ₹20,045 crore (US$2.4 billion). It will start from Ghaziabad as the starting station, run through Noida, Greater Noida, YEIDA City and end in Jewar Airport at Jewar. It will have 12 stations and two depots on both the northern and southern ends of the corridor.