Vande Bharat Express: Indian Railways extends deadline for bids for 58 train sets

Indian Railways has extended the deadline for a fresh tender that was floated for 58 Vande Bharat train sets. The deadline for bid submission for key systems of the Vande Bharat trains has been extended to November 22. Railways is hoping to roll out 75 Vande Bharat Express trains by August 2023 and over 100 by March 2024.
A railway official told TOI that the deadline has been extended since some of the stakeholders have asked for more time to understand the project requirements. The earlier date for bid submission was October 20. Indian Railways has already awarded the tender for propulsion systems and key systems of 44 Vande Bharat trains to Medha Servo in early 2021.
Vande Bharat Express, also called Train 18 after the year of its production, is a self-propelled train set that doesn’t require a locomotive to haul it. Similar to bullet trains in terms of exterior looks, Vande Bharat can run at speeds of up to 160 kmph.