Vande Bharat Sleeper Trains: A New Era in Indian Railways' Long-Distance Travel

Introduction

Indian Railways is set to revolutionize long-distance travel with the introduction of Vande Bharat Sleeper Trains, the high-speed sleeper version of India’s premium Vande Bharat Express. These trains promise luxury, speed, and comfort, redefining overnight journeys for passengers.

The first 16-car Vande Bharat Sleeper Train has successfully completed rigorous trials on the Mumbai-Ahmedabad section, covering 540 km on January 15, 2025. Following this milestone, Indian Railways is gearing up for full-scale production, aiming to transform railway travel across the country.

Key Highlights of the Vande Bharat Sleeper Train

• First successful trial completed: January 15, 2025, on the Mumbai-Ahmedabad route.
• Top speed of 180 km/h, ensuring faster travel times.
• Luxury features such as automatic doors, ultra-comfortable berths, onboard WiFi, and aircraft-like design.
• Production of nine more trains scheduled between April and December 2025.
• Indian Railways places major propulsion order for 50 rakes of 24-car sleeper train sets.
• Full-scale production to begin in 2026-27 under the Make in India initiative.

Trials and Performance

The prototype of the Vande Bharat Sleeper Train was manufactured at Integral Coach Factory (ICF), Chennai, and rolled out for testing in December 2024. The train underwent short-distance trials in Kota, Rajasthan, achieving speeds of 180 km/h, ensuring safety and passenger comfort.

The success of these trials has paved the way for the production of nine more Vande Bharat Sleeper Trains by the end of 2025. In addition, a large-scale order for propulsion electrics for 50 rakes has been placed with Indian manufacturers, ensuring domestic technological advancement and job creation.

Luxury and Passenger Comfort

Vande Bharat Sleeper Trains are designed to provide an unparalleled travel experience, featuring:

• Ultra-comfortable berths with improved cushioning.
• Automatic sliding doors for added convenience.
• Onboard WiFi for seamless connectivity.
• Aircraft-style interiors, ensuring a premium look and feel.
• Advanced safety features, including modern braking systems and fire safety measures.
• Quieter cabins for a smoother, more relaxing journey.

Comparison with Rajdhani and Duronto Express

Comparison: Vande Bharat Sleeper vs Rajdhani vs Duronto

Feature	Vande Bharat Sleeper	Rajdhani Express	Duronto Express
Speed	180 km/h	130-140 km/h	130-140 km/h
Travel Time	Reduced	Moderate	Moderate
Comfort	High (Aircraft-like interiors, noise reduction)	Comfortable (Traditional sleeper coaches)	Comfortable (Traditional sleeper coaches)
Safety	Advanced (Modern braking, fire safety)	Standard	Standard
Connectivity	Onboard WiFi, Infotainment	Limited	Limited

The introduction of Vande Bharat Sleeper Trains could significantly reduce travel time on long-distance routes, making them a preferred choice over existing premium trains like Rajdhani and Duronto.

Make in India: A Step Towards Self-Reliance

The Vande Bharat Sleeper Train is a 100% indigenous project under the Make in India initiative. The full-scale production of 24-car sleeper train sets in 2026-27 will further boost India's self-reliance in railway technology, generating employment and fostering innovation.

Expected Routes for Vande Bharat Sleeper Trains

While the Indian Railways has not officially announced the routes, some potential long-distance corridors include:

1. Delhi-Mumbai
2. Delhi-Kolkata
3. Delhi-Chennai
4. Mumbai-Kolkata
5. Bangalore-Delhi
6. Mumbai-Varanasi

These routes, currently served by Rajdhani Express, could see faster, more comfortable alternatives with Vande Bharat Sleeper Trains.

Impact on Indian Railways and Passengers

• Faster long-distance travel, reducing journey times by several hours.
• Increased passenger convenience with modern amenities.
• Boost to railway revenues, attracting more travelers to premium services.
• Technological advancement, enhancing India's global standing in railway innovation.

Conclusion

The Vande Bharat Sleeper Train represents the future of Indian Railways’ long-distance travel, combining speed, luxury, and safety. With full-scale production beginning in 2026-27, passengers can look forward to world-class overnight train journeys across India.

The success of this ambitious project will redefine rail travel for millions, making Indian Railways a leader in high-speed sleeper trains.

Stay tuned to Khabre360 for the latest updates on Indian Railways' modernization!