Titagarh Rail Systems Limited (TRSL) and Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) have signed an agreement for the long-term maintenance of Vande Bharat sleeper trainsets, marking an important milestone in the consortium.
The maintenance agreement forms part of the Rs 24,000 crore contract awarded by Indian Railways to the TRSL-BHEL consortium for the manufacture and supply of 80 Vande Bharat sleeper trainsets, along with their maintenance for a period of 35 years.
As part of this arrangement, TRSL and BHEL have executed a Joint Venture Agreement (“JVA”) for establishing a Joint Venture Company (“JV Company”), with shareholding held in equal proportion, i.e. 50% each, to undertake maintenance of 80 Vande Bharat Trainsets under the Indian Railways project for “Manufacturing cum Maintenance of 80 Vande Bharat Trainsets including Upgradation of Government Manufacturing Units & Trainset Depots and Comprehensive Maintenance for 35 years.”
The signing of the maintenance contract reinforces the long-term nature of the TRSL-BHEL partnership and reflects the growing focus of Indian Railways on lifecycle-based support for advanced passenger rail systems. By combining indigenous manufacturing with long-term maintenance capabilities, the consortium will contribute to ensuring the continued operational readiness of the Vande Bharat sleeper fleet.
Commenting on the occasion, Shri Umesh Chowdhary, Vice Chairman & Managing Director, Titagarh Rail Systems Limited, said: “The signing of this long-term maintenance agreement is an important milestone in Titagarh’s journey and further strengthens our association with the Vande Bharat programme. At Titagarh, our commitment goes beyond designing and manufacturing modern rolling stock we believe in supporting our customers and our products throughout their operational lifecycle. This 35-year maintenance commitment reflects the trust placed in our people, capabilities and processes, and also demonstrates our readiness to provide long-term lifecycle support across our rolling stock programmes. Together with BHEL, we remain committed to contributing to India’s vision of modern, efficient and self-reliant passenger rail transportation through Vande Bharat, designed and made in India, for a Viksit Bharat.”
The Vande Bharat sleeper project represents a significant step towards enhancing the travel experience for long-distance rail travel in India, with a focus on modern design, passenger comfort and advanced technology. The long-term maintenance agreement further strengthens the ecosystem required to support these next-generation trainsets throughout their operational life.
