Indian Railways’ plans are underway to introduce Vande Bharat sleeper trains, with trial runs set to commence on August 15, 2024. These new trains are poised to revolutionize long-distance travel in India, offering enhanced comfort and efficiency compared to existing options.
The initial route for these trains will be the busy Delhi-Mumbai corridor, where trial runs are expected to start in mid-August. Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw recently announced ambitious targets, aiming to deploy around 250 Vande Bharat sleeper trains by 2029. “The completion work of the trainset is in full swing, and the first prototype will be operational within two months,” stated Vaishnaw. The manufacturing of these trains is being handled by BEML Ltd at its facility in Bangalore.
Sources indicate that the Vande Bharat sleeper train manufacturing is in its final stages in Bengaluru. The trains will feature a total of 16 coaches: 10 for Third AC, 4 for Second AC, and one for First AC, along with two Seating cum Luggage Rake (SLR) coaches. In its first phase, the Vande Bharat sleeper train will run at a speed of 130 km/h, with plans to gradually increase the speed to between 160 and 220 km/h.
The decision to run the Vande Bharat sleeper train between Delhi and Mumbai comes as a response to the high demand for reservations on this busy route. Trains often remain fully booked, leaving many passengers without reservations. The introduction of the Vande Bharat sleeper train on this route is expected to provide much-needed relief to commuters.
