Before starting commercial operations, the Vande Bharat sleeper prototype, which finished the long-distance trial last month, is awaiting final certification. In a statement released on Thursday, the railways said that the Vande Bharat sleeper, a cutting-edge addition to India’s fastest-growing railway fleet, would change long-distance travel.
Trials Of The Vande Bharat Sleeper
The first Vande Bharat sleeper, consisting of 16 coaches, successfully finished the arduous 540-kilometre Mumbai-Ahmedabad section trials conducted by the Research Designs and Standards Organisation (RDSO) on January 15.
After evaluating the test runs, the RDSO will give a final certificate prior to the first Vande Bharat sleeper train in India being operationalised. The ministry stated that the railway safety commissioner will assess the train when it is travelling at its fastest possible speed.
In December 2024, the first train set of this train was delivered by the Integral Coach Factory (ICF) in Chennai. The train underwent three days of short-distance testing in Kota, covering a distance of 30 to 40 km, during the first week of January this year. According to the government, it reached a comfortable speed of 180 kmph.
Passenger-First Features
The sleeper train, which can carry 1,128 passengers in three classes—AC First Class, AC 2-Tier, and AC 3-Tier—was created with comfort and convenience in mind. In addition to improved safety measures like crash buffers and fire barrier walls, passengers will benefit from cushioned beds, automated doors, and onboard Wi-Fi. The train’s design, which resembles an aeroplane, promises a more comfortable, peaceful, and more luxurious ride.
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Indian Railways intends to introduce nine additional Vande Bharat Sleeper Train Sets between April and December 2025 in response to the successful trial. The 24-car variant will go into production in 2026–2027. Indian Railways has ordered propulsion systems from Indian manufacturers Medha and Alstom to guarantee seamless operations; delivery is anticipated within the next two years.
Cover Image Credits: Wikimedia Commons
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