Indian Railways PSU eyes Vande Bharat exports on standard-gauge platform

RITES Limited, an Indian Railways Public Sector Undertaking (PSU), is considering the export of Vande Bharat trains on standard-gauge railway platforms. Since its inception in 2019, these high-speed trains have transported over 9 crore passengers. At present, 81 pairs of Vande Bharat services with Chair Car coaches operate across the Indian Railways network.

These trains currently operate on the Broad Gauge (BG) railway network, characterized by a rail distance of 1,676 mm, as opposed to the Standard Gauge, which measures 1,435 mm. The Ministry of Railways has noted that Vande Bharat Express trains can go from 0 to 100 kmph in around 52 seconds, a performance that rivals that of semi-high-speed trains in nations like Japan and various European countries.

Importantly, this high-speed capability can be achieved while utilizing existing railway infrastructure. RITES CMD Rahul Mithal announced that the company has begun exploring the feasibility of exporting Vande Bharat trains to foreign markets. Initial discussions with Indian Railways are already underway to develop a prototype tailored for the standard-gauge platform.

Mithal revealed that they have already initiated contact with potential countries showing interest. He further mentioned that the development of the first prototype on the standard gauge platform is anticipated to progress significantly in the coming months. In October 2025, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw had similarly stated that Indian Railways is positioning itself as a prominent exporter and is actively developing the next generation of high-speed trains, with a strong emphasis on the international export market.