In recent developments, TMC MP Saket Gokhale has alleged that the cost of Vande Bharat Sleeper Trains has increased by 50% due to changes in the contract.
This claim emerged amidst the launch of the first Vande Metro and several Vande Bharat Express trains by PM Narendra Modi in Ahmedabad.
Allegations of Cost Increase
Gokhale took to social media to accuse the Modi government of doubling the cost of the Vande Bharat Sleeper Train project.
He claimed that the cost per train had risen from ₹290 crore to ₹436 crore, following a revision in the tender.
Gokhale also highlighted that the total order for 200 trains, initially valued at ₹58,000 crore, had been reduced to 133 trains, further inflating the cost per unit.
Railways’ Response
The Indian Railways has responded to these allegations by denouncing them as misinformation.
According to the Railways, the overall cost per coach and the total cost of the trains have remained consistent.
Please stop spreading misinformation and fake news.
Cost per coach multiplied by number of coaches equals the cost of train.
In sleeper project, cost per coach is lower than all benchmarks because of the transparency in process.
We have increased the number of coaches from… https://t.co/tLUmUsGx5x
— Ministry of Railways (@RailMinIndia) September 16, 2024
They explained that the increase in cost per train is due to an expansion in the number of coaches per train.
Originally, the order was for 200 trains with 16 coaches each; this has been revised to 133 trains with 24 coaches each.
The total number of coaches remains approximately 3,200, ensuring the cost per coach stays the same.
