Vande Bharat Sleeper Trains To Be Ready For Launch In Six Months

The inaugural Vande Bharat sleeper trains are slated to begin operation in the third quarter of this year, promising passengers a new era of comfort and convenience in rail travel.

Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw recently highlighted this development, emphasising the government's commitment to improving the rail travel experience.

Bharat Earth Movers Limited (BEML) in Bengaluru is manufacturing 10 train sets of Vande Bharat Sleeper, totalling 160 coaches. BEML under the Ministry of Defence specialises in manufacturing products for diverse sectors, including defence, aerospace, mining, construction, rail, and metro.

BEML officials stated that the Integral Coach Factory (ICF) in Chennai placed an order with BEML in May 2023 for the design, manufacture, and commissioning of 10 rakes, each consisting of 16 cars, for the Vande Bharat sleeper version.

The introduction of sleeper coaches addresses the ergonomic challenges commonly faced in traditional sleeper class trains. Leveraging similar technology as the chair car variant, these coaches promise benefits such as jerk-free, noiseless rides, quick acceleration, and deceleration.

Passengers can anticipate improved foot area on the ladder for easier entry, new toilet designs, and enhanced air conditioning with better control. Incorporating cutting-edge technology, the seat cushions feature advanced comfort features, while stringent measures ensure a safe and hygienic travel environment.

Internationally, the manufacturing cost of one coach is approximately Rs 10 crores. However, due to the indigenous design of the Vande Bharat sleeper coach, its cost is reduced to around Rs eight to Rs nine crores.

Each coach will accommodate approximately 67 passengers and boasts stainless steel car body, crash-worthy design elements, automatic exterior passenger doors, and sensor-based intercommunication doors.

The rollout of Vande Bharat sleeper trains is set to commence after a rigorous testing period of five to six months, during which up to 10 trains will undergo trial runs. Once successful, mass manufacturing of coaches will begin. Additionally, all Vande Bharat sleeper trains will be pre-fitted with the anti-collision system, Kavach, reports The New Indian Express.

Launched on 15 February 2019, the Vande Bharat Express has been a hallmark of medium-distance super-fast express service, connecting cities within a range of 800km. Designed by the Research Design and Standards Organisation (RSDO) and manufactured by ICF Chennai, the Vande Bharat Express represents a milestone in Indian Railways' quest for innovation.

Since their launch, their fleet has expanded to 82 trains, with plans to introduce nearly 60 new trains across India this year. Indian Railways also aims to extend Vande Bharat train services to routes with limited or expensive air connectivity.