Ministry of Railways Says Modern Coach Factory Raebareli Rolled Out Its First 16-Car Vande Bharat Chair Car Trainset on 2 May 2026 with Siemens Propulsion, Kavach and Accessibility Features

The Ministry of Railways said on 2 May 2026 Modern Coach Factory, Raebareli had rolled out its first 16-car Vande Bharat Chair Car trainset and dispatched it for testing and field trials. The release called the event a landmark because MCF Raebareli has now joined the group of Vande Bharat trainset manufacturers. It also noted that the Vande Bharat journey began in 2018 with two trainsets and is now approaching the milestone of its 100th trainset, making the rollout part of India's rail rolling-stock modernisation. The trainset is equipped with a Siemens propulsion system and will undergo oscillation trials before passenger induction. These trials will validate ride quality, safety parameters and dynamic performance. The Ministry said the train keeps the core Vande Bharat values of speed, efficiency and passenger comfort, while adding engineering and performance improvements aimed at reliability and safety. Passenger-facing features include comfortable seating, jerk-free travel, fully sealed gangways and automatic plug doors to reduce noise levels. Safety and resilience features include the indigenous Kavach Automatic Train Protection system, advanced fire detection with aerosol-based suppression and flood protection for underslung equipment. The release also highlighted vacuum infusion technology for a high-quality interior finish. The trainset is described as Divyangjan-friendly, with dedicated ramps, designated spaces and specialised facilities for accessibility. The rollout matters for public administration because it links manufacturing capacity, indigenous safety technology and inclusive passenger design in a single rail-modernisation project. It also reinforces Indian Railways' stated commitment to innovation, inclusivity and world-class manufacturing standards.