Archive · 25 Nov 2025
Vande Bharat Maker's Mixed Review After 7-Year Ride
Sudhanshu Mani, who led the creation of India's first Vande Bharat train, recently took a ride on it after seven years.
He liked the cleanliness, comfortable seats, and good food, but was disappointed by the low number of passengers and the train's speed.
He also mentioned that the train's toilet had signs of cost-cutting.
Mani believes the train would be more successful if it had a sleeper version, which is still not available despite multiple missed deadlines.
He also thinks the train should be allowed to run at its maximum speed of 160 kmph instead of the current 130 kmph.
Sudhanshu Mani, the maker of Vande Bharat, took his first passenger ride after seven years.
He praised the cleanliness, comfortable seats, and hygienic food but criticized the low occupancy.
Mani noted that the train's toilet showed signs of cost-cutting and multi-sourcing.
He believes the train's success would improve with a sleeper version, which is delayed.
Mani also expressed disappointment in the train's operating speed, which is below its maximum capability.
- Who
- Sudhanshu Mani, the maker of Vande Bharat train
- What
- A mixed review of the Vande Bharat train after a 7-year wait
- When
- Recently, seven years after the train's launch in 2019
- Where
- On a journey from Lucknow to Prayagraj
- Why
- To experience the train as a passenger and provide feedback
- Train
- Vande Bharat
- Maker
- Sudhanshu Mani
- Route
- Lucknow to Prayagraj
- Occupancy
- Below 25% in Executive Class, 50% in Chair Car
- Speed
- Operates at 130 kmph, capable of 160 kmph
- Food
- Hygienic and reasonably palatable
- Seating
- More comfortable than prototype with back-recline mechanism
- Toilet
- Neat and functional, but with cost-cutting evident