Indian Railways’ premier train Vande Bharat Express which now operates on six routes across the country has recorded 68 instances of animal hit in the last six months starting from June this year.
This information was given by the Union Minister of Railways, Ashwini Vaishnaw in a written reply to the Lok Sabha on 14 December in a query to the number of incidents of Vande Bharat Express trains hit by animals in the last six months. Union Railway Minister in another reply said that the shell structure of Vande Bharat coach is made of high-grade steel. However, the coupler cover fitted in front of the Vande Bharat train as part of nose cone which provides aerodynamic profile to the train is made of fibre reinforced plastic to absorb the impact of hit.
Replying to another question, Vaishnaw said currently the Vande Bharat trains are running with sitting capacity with a maximum distance of 500 to 550 km and once the Vande Bharat trains with sleeping facilities will ply, the trains will cover longer distances
