New Delhi: India’s first Vande Bharat sleeper trains, designed specifically for long-distance overnight journeys, are set to begin service within the next three months. These trains are unique in that they will exclusively feature sleeper coaches, providing passengers with greater comfort for night travel.
Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw recently announced this development during a visit to Bharat Earth Movers Limited (BEML) in Bengaluru, where these advanced sleeper coaches are being manufactured. The construction of the first set of coaches has been completed, and track trials are scheduled to begin shortly. The government has also released images showcasing these state-of-the-art coaches.
The Vande Bharat sleeper train project, announced in 2023, envisions the rollout of 400 such trains. After a year and a half of production efforts, it is anticipated that two to three trains will be introduced each month. These new sleeper trains differ from the current Vande Bharat trains, which only offer chair car seating, by being fully equipped for overnight travel.
The fare structure for these trains will be comparable to that of the Rajdhani Express, and passengers can expect world-class interiors along with modern safety features, such as collision and fire prevention systems. Each train will operate at a top speed of 160 km/h, covering distances between 800 and 1,200 kilometers overnight. The trains will have a total capacity of 823 passengers across 16 sleeper coaches, including 11 AC three-tier coaches, four AC two-tier coaches, and one first-class AC coach.
The Vande Bharat sleeper trains will boast a range of modern amenities, including stainless steel bodies for durability, modular pantries, reading lights, USB charging ports at each berth, an advanced announcement system, and special provisions for differently-abled passengers. Additionally, the trains will feature automatic doors, hot water facilities in first-class AC, dedicated luggage rooms, display boards, and virus-resistant materials for enhanced hygiene.
