Vande Bharat parcel train to debut in two months

The Indian Railways is set to introduce its first Vande Bharat parcel train within the next two months, officials at the Integral Coach Factory (ICF), Perambur, confirmed.

Built with 16 coaches, the train can carry up to 264 tonnes of cargo and is designed for a maximum speed of 160 kmph, with an average operating speed of 90 kmph—nearly double the current 50 kmph average for goods trains.

Targeted at accelerating the movement of high-value and time-sensitive goods, such as processed food products often reliant on costly air cargo, the service aims to provide businesses with a faster, safer, and more economical alternative. The inaugural service will operate on the Mumbai–Kolkata corridor.

Companies entering long-term parcel transport contracts with the Railways will be offered discounted rates. The train, under construction at ICF for the past year, will undergo inspections by the Research Design and Standards Organisation (RDSO) next month before commercial rollout.