RCF Kapurthala completes first Vande Bharat Express rake to boost Indian Railways fleet

The Rail Coach Factory in Kapurthala has finalized its inaugural 16-coach Vande Bharat Express set, marking a significant expansion in India's domestic manufacturing capacity for high-speed rail. This move transitions production beyond the original Chennai facility to meet rising national demand for modernized transit.

Indian Railways is set to expand its high-speed fleet as the Rail Coach Factory (RCF) in Kapurthala, Punjab, completes its first locally produced Vande Bharat Express. According to official disclosures, the 16-coach train has entered its final readiness stage and is scheduled for induction into active service by the end of March 2026. While the Integral Coach Factory in Chennai initially developed the platform, this delivery marks the successful decentralization of manufacturing to other specialized units. RCF Kapurthala is a major production unit under the Ministry of Railways, specialized in the manufacturing of high-capacity passenger coaches and advanced rail technology.

By integrating RCF into the production cycle, the government aims to significantly scale up the output of indigenous train sets. This development is critical for the modernization of India’s transport infrastructure. Increasing the number of manufacturing hubs reduces lead times for fleet expansion, directly impacting the frequency of intercity connectivity. For stakeholders in the domestic steel, electronics, and engineering sectors, scaled-up production signals a consistent demand for high-grade industrial components. Furthermore, the deployment of these upgraded rakes facilitates faster transit times, supporting regional economic integration and providing an efficient alternative to short-haul aviation for business travelers.