Vande Bharat: Kapurthala RCF Rake Hits Technical Snags
The Railway Board has flagged technical flaws in the first 16-coach Vande Bharat rake from Kapurthala RCF, including touchscreen and electrical issues.
The Railway Board has granted conditional approval for the operation of the first 16-coach Vande Bharat chair car manufactured by the Rail Coach Factory (RCF) in Kapurthala. However, this milestone is accompanied by a list of technical deficiencies that require immediate rectification.
This particular unit, which utilizes an Alstom propulsion system, marks a significant shift as it is the first Vande Bharat chair car produced by RCF. Previously, these high-speed rakes were manufactured exclusively by the Integral Coach Factory (ICF) in Chennai.
Critical Technical Flaws Identified
In a formal communication dated October 23, 2026, addressed to various safety organizations including the RDSO and the Chief Commissioner of Railway Safety (CCRS), the Board detailed several operational concerns that must be addressed:
- Driver Display Unit (DDU) Issues: The touchscreen on the DDU exhibits poor sensitivity, which could potentially hinder loco pilots during operation.
- Electrical Cabinet Deficiencies: The Electrical Control Cabinets (ECC) were found to be using single-pole Miniature Circuit Breakers (MCBs) rather than the standard double-pole versions used in earlier models. This change complicates the process of fault tracing.
- Labeling and Component Upgrades: The Board has mandated that single-pole MCBs be replaced with double-pole versions in both current and future rakes, and that all MCBs receive proper labeling.
- Fire Safety Hardware: The acrylic doors on the fire extinguisher cabinets were found to be loosely secured and require immediate reinforcement to ensure safety.
Concerns Over Electrical Architecture
Beyond specific components, the Railway Board raised alarms regarding the overall electrical architecture of the new rake. It was noted that the current configuration could impede the efficient detection of faults, which is a critical requirement for maintaining high-speed service reliability.
Speed Restrictions and Compliance
While the new Vande Bharat rake is technically approved for a maximum speed of 160 kmph, it will not be allowed to reach its full potential immediately. Currently, a 130 kmph operational speed restriction is being enforced by the Board across all rail networks.
RCF has been instructed to resolve these technical shortcomings urgently to ensure the rake meets all necessary safety and operational standards before full-scale deployment.