India pitches Vande Bharat as affordable rail model for developing world: Report – Firstpost

India is preparing to export its flagship Vande Bharat trains to overseas markets, betting that a lower-cost, semi-high-speed rail model could appeal to developing economies struggling to modernise ageing railway systems without taking on the massive costs of bullet train networks.

State-run engineering consultancy RITES and Indian Railways are jointly developing a standard-gauge version of the Vande Bharat train for international markets, Mint reported. Interest has already emerged from neighbouring countries such as Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Nepal, while India is also exploring opportunities in parts of Africa and Latin America, the report said.

The export push marks a broader shift in India’s ambitions — from being primarily a rail operator to becoming a supplier of affordable transport technology to the Global South.

The move also builds on a wider debate around whether Vande Bharat could emerge as a viable international rail model for developing economies. In January, Firstpost had reported on how India’s semi-high-speed train strategy could be a
possible alternative to costly bullet train systems, particularly for countries seeking faster and modern rail connectivity without massive infrastructure spending.

India’s rail export ambitions take shape

RITES chairman and managing director Rahul Mithal told Mint that the company is working closely with Indian Railways to design a standard-gauge Vande Bharat platform compatible with international railway systems.

“We are working in close coordination with the railways to try and develop the design for standard-gauge Vande Bharat trains and explore its future potential for exports,” Mithal said.

The shift to standard gauge is crucial because most global rail networks use narrower standard-gauge tracks, unlike India’s broad-gauge system. Current Vande Bharat trains operate only on broad-gauge lines within India.

According to the report, the export-oriented train platform remains in the design-development phase and manufacturing will begin once commercial export orders are secured.

India may initially export existing broad-gauge Vande Bharat trains to neighbouring countries with compatible rail networks before the standard-gauge variant is rolled out.

A cheaper alternative to costly bullet trains

India is positioning Vande Bharat as a more practical and affordable alternative to expensive high-speed rail systems built by countries such as China, Japan and France.

Unlike dedicated bullet train corridors that require entirely new infrastructure and billions of dollars in investment, Vande Bharat trains are designed to run on upgraded conventional railway tracks. That significantly reduces project costs for countries with limited fiscal capacity.

Railway officials told Mint that a 16-coach Vande Bharat train currently costs around Rs 130 crore to Rs 150 crore to manufacture, giving India a potential pricing advantage in overseas markets.

“The cost advantage of Vande Bharat trains could make it a strong contender in any country that is looking at strengthening its intercity travel infrastructure,” an Indian Railways official told Mint.

The trains are also increasingly being projected as a showcase of India’s “Make in India” manufacturing capabilities, with around 90 per cent localisation in components and systems.

Neighbours and Africa emerge as key markets

According to the report, delegations from Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Nepal have already visited India to inspect the trains and assess their suitability for local operations.

At the same time, RITES is expanding its broader railway export business in Africa, where several countries are modernising rail infrastructure and looking for lower-cost rolling stock suppliers.

Mithal told Mint that the company has completed an order for 10 locomotives for Mozambique and is preparing to begin supplies for an order of 200 rail coaches from Bangladesh.

The prototype for the first batch of coaches has already been approved by Dhaka, he said.

RITES has also secured additional orders for five locomotives from Mozambique and plans to supply diesel locomotives converted from broad gauge to cape gauge for African markets.

Industry analysts say India’s growing rail exports align with New Delhi’s wider push to deepen economic ties across the Global South through infrastructure partnerships, engineering exports and development projects.

Domestic expansion remains the priority

Even as export plans gather pace, Indian Railways is continuing an aggressive domestic rollout of Vande Bharat services.

The national transporter aims to deploy 800 Vande Bharat trainsets by 2030 and expand the fleet to 4,500 by 2047, including sleeper variants in addition to the current chair-car models.

Earlier this month, the Modern Coach Factory rolled out the 100th Vande Bharat trainset since the programme began in 2019.

The trains were initially designed for speeds of up to 160 kmph, though newer variants are engineered for operations at 180 kmph.

The export drive also comes at a time when countries across Asia, Africa and Latin America are reassessing transport investments amid rising debt burdens and slowing economic growth. For many of these economies, India believes Vande Bharat could offer a middle path — modern rail connectivity without the crippling costs of full-scale high-speed rail systems.