The Vande Bharat Express, the flagship train of Indian Railways, is vulnerable to serious accidents even during cattle collisions, according to a recent railway safety report accessed by The Hindu. The report, prepared by the Commission of Railway Safety under the Ministry of Civil Aviation, highlights structural concerns with the train’s leading coach, which is lighter than conventional locomotives and more susceptible to damage at high speeds.
As Indian Railways pushes forward with its plans to operate trains at 160 kmph, the report has urged immediate safety interventions. Chief among these is the installation of robust fencing along high-speed corridors to prevent both human and cattle intrusions. The report also recommends the elimination of level crossings on such routes.
To address recurring incidents of trespassing and cattle ingress, the commission advises the deployment of Railway Protection Force (RPF) personnel at vulnerable locations, regular patrols, and the construction of subways to allow farmers to safely move their cattle across tracks.
Vande Bharat trains — India’s first semi-high-speed trainsets — are currently manufactured at ICF Chennai, RCF Kapurthala, and MCF Raebareli. As of December 26, 2024, a total of 136 Vande Bharat services were operational, with 62 introduced in 2024 alone. Newer variants, including long-distance sleeper rakes, are under production.
However, the high-speed rollout has seen repeated incidents of cow collisions, raising alarms about the safety of these advanced trainsets. The safety report warns that such hits, especially at higher speeds, could potentially result in major accidents.
It further emphasizes the need for joint inspections by RPF and railway officials, and community awareness initiatives for residents living near railway tracks to highlight the dangers of crossing them.
As part of speed upgrades from 130 to 160 kmph, the report also flags the increasing burden of permanent speed restrictions due to sharp curves. These restrictions, it notes, add stress to Loco Pilots and calls on Indian Railways to reduce them by redesigning curves, extending transition zones, and streamlining yard layouts.
Addressing concerns about the train’s design, Shubhranshu, former Principal Chief Mechanical Engineer of ICF and the lead behind the first Train18 prototype, defended the safety of Vande Bharat. He explained that the train’s front cone is designed to crumple and absorb impact energy, while the cattle guard is built to deflect obstructions. He also pointed out that trainsets like the Vande Bharat — which have distributed propulsion instead of a front locomotive — are the global standard, and being lighter at the front doesn’t inherently compromise safety.
Train18, later named Vande Bharat Express, was developed in just 18 months and launched between Delhi and Varanasi in 2019 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, becoming a showcase of the ‘Make in India’ initiative.