The joint venture of the Russian Transmashholding, the Indian Rail Vikas Nigam Limited, and Kinet Railway Solutions has completed the manufacture of the head car body for the Vande Bharat sleeping electric train.
The assembly of rolling stock is deployed at the Marathwada Rail Coach Factory production site in Latur, Maharashtra. It is expected that in June 2026, specialists will present to the public a full-size prototype of a 16-car train designed for operation at speeds up to 160 km/h.
According to Transmashholding, the design concept of the interior and exterior of the trains was developed taking into account the requirements of Indian railways and the climatic features of the region. The first-class compartment is equipped with personal ports for charging devices, individual lighting, ergonomic ladders, and a well-thought-out luggage storage system. TMH's chief designer Evgeny Maslov noted that when creating the interior, the team strived to convey a sense of coziness and home comfort, focusing on attention to each passenger.
The contract for the supply and 35-year service maintenance of 1920 cars for 120 Vande Bharat trains is estimated at $6.5 billion and has become one of the largest deals in the history of railway cooperation between the two countries.
Production localization in India corresponds to the state initiative Make in India, and in parallel with the production of rolling stock, personnel training is underway: Indian engineers are undergoing internships at TMH enterprises in Russia, mastering the technologies of assembling bodies, adjusting traction drives, and installing electrical equipment.
