Western Railway proposes Vande Bharat freight services between Mumbai and Delhi

Western Railway has submitted an ambitious proposal to the Railway Board and the Dedicated Freight Corridor Corporation of India Limited to launch superfast parcel services utilizing advanced Vande Bharat Freight EMU technology. Officially communicated on August 20, 2026, this initiative aims to revolutionize logistics by connecting Jogeshwari in Mumbai to Adarsh Nagar in Delhi within a remarkably fast transit time of just 9 hours, alongside a targeted 7-hour transit time between Surat and Delhi. This move directly responds to a May 2025 mandate instructing all Zonal Railways to identify viable routes for high-speed cargo movement.

Understanding the Vande Bharat Freight EMU Rake

Manufactured by the Integral Coach Factory in Chennai, the 16-coach Vande Bharat Freight EMU prototype is specially designed to transport time-sensitive cargo such as e-commerce shipments, pharmaceuticals, and perishables efficiently. The train boasts a total payload capacity of 395 tonnes, distributed across 14 wagons with a 25-tonne capacity each and two driver-trailer wagons handling 20 tonnes each. To ensure seamless loading and cargo safety, the rakes are equipped with a roller floor system, 1,800 mm wide automatic sliding doors, CCTV surveillance, state-of-the-art fire detection systems, and temperature-controlled facilities for perishables.

Rigorous Safety Trials and Technical Specifications

Extensive trials for the freight service have already been conducted in the Kota Division of West Central Railway, covering the Kota-Nagda-Sawai Madhopur section. According to RDSO Director of Testing Ananjay Mishra, these trials comprehensively evaluated speed, braking efficiency, and load capacity under both empty and loaded conditions. The train successfully achieved maximum speeds of 145 kmph against a designed operational speed of 160 kmph. Saurabh Jain, Senior Divisional Commercial Manager of the Kota Division, confirmed that oscillation trials and emergency braking distance tests were executed successfully. Furthermore, the Freight EMU integrates cutting-edge safety features including the KAVACH anti-collision system, automatic door locking at speeds exceeding 5 kmph, and crucial interlocks to prevent train movement while doors remain open. Commercial operations for this high-speed freight corridor are expected to commence once final safety clearances and performance evaluations conclude.