A new 16-coach rake of Vande Bharat Express, a semi-high-speed train manufactured at Integral Coach Factory in Chennai has reached Chandigarh for a trial run.

The trial run of this new train at a speed of 110 kmph is likely to start on August 24. This trial run will be conducted in the 100 km Chandigarh New Moranda-Sanewal railway section. Initially, there will be trials at speeds of 15 kmph, followed by 45, 60 and 80 kmph. After all the technical tests, the train will be tested at a speed of 110 kmph.

Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw will be present in the train during the commencement of the first trial run of 110 km.

After the successful trial run of 110 km, the trial run of the second phase of this new train will start on August 29. This trial run will be done in a 225 km section between Kota and Nagda railway station, on which the train will be run at its maximum speed of 180 kmph.

According to Railways, after the completion of the trial run of 50,000 km, its report will be sent to the Railway Safety Commissioner.

The new trains will have automatic fire sensors, CCTV cameras and GPS systems to make travelling safer and more comfortable. The higher speed of these trains are up to 180 Km/hour. ICF has set a target of manufacturing 75 Vande Bharat trains by August 2023.

Travelling in the new trains would be more comfortable because of the lighter coaches than the previous trains. The coaches are made of stainless steel. The windows are wide, there is more space for luggage. The toilet installed will be advanced. Most of the parts of the trains are "Made in India" except for a few small parts, said sources.

For the safety of the passengers, 'Kavach' technology is being installed in all new trains, so that automatic brakes could be applied in case any train is coming on the same track. The test speed of the train is 180 kmph, while the maximum speed is 160 kmph.

Two Vande Bharat trains which are already operational between New Delhi-Varanasi and New Delhi-Vaishnodevi Katra.