IR signs a supply agreement for manufacturing Vande Bharat

In an important development, Indian Railways (IR) has signed a supply contract with Kinet Railway Solutions, an Indo-Russian joint venture, for manufacturing Vande Bharat trains. The development holds significance owing to concerns raised about the viability of the joint venture in light of fresh US sanctions against senior officials associated with the Russian partners in this joint venture with India’s Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL). According to the agreement, Kinet Railway Solutions will manufacture and maintain 120 Vande Bharat passenger sleeper train sets and also provide maintenance services for 35 years.