Indian railways to introduce 9 more vande bharat sleeper trains by December 2025 after successful trial

Indian Railways is advancing its Vande Bharat project by introducing sleeper variants to enhance long-distance travel. Following the successful trial of the first prototype, the production of 10 Vande Bharat sleeper trains is currently underway. These trains are expected to be operational by the end of the 2024-25 fiscal year. 

Vande bharat sleeper

In a significant move, contracts for manufacturing 200 Vande Bharat sleeper rakes have been awarded to technology partners. The consortium of Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL) and Russia's TMH will produce 120 trainsets, while the remaining 80 will be manufactured by a partnership between Titagarh Wagons and Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL)The first prototype, developed by BEML, has been dispatched from the Integral Coach Factory (ICF) in Chennai for loaded simulation trials. These trials, supervised by the Research Designs & Standards Organisation (RDSO) in Lucknow, aim to assess the train's performance at speeds of 130 km/h and 180 km/h under various conditionsThe Vande Bharat sleeper trains are designed to offer a world-class travel experience for overnight journeys.

Key features include

Safety Enhancements: Advanced crash-worthy elements, such as specially designed crash buffers and couplers, to maximize passenger safety.Passenger Comfort: Ergonomically designed berths, improved ride comfort, and modern amenities like reading lights, charging sockets, and snack tables for each berth.

Modern Facilities: Automatic doors, sensor-based intercommunication systems, fire barrier doors, and integrated reading lights with USB charging.

Accessibility: Facilities for differently-abled passengers, including specially designed restrooms and designated spaces.Each 16-coach trainset will have a passenger capacity of 823, distributed across First-Class AC, 2-Tier AC, and 3-Tier AC classes. The trains are constructed using high-strength austenitic stainless steel and are equipped with advanced safety features to ensure passenger security. The introduction of these sleeper variants is part of Indian Railways' broader strategy to modernize its fleet and provide enhanced travel options for passengers on long-distance routes.