Indian Railways is gearing up to launch the country’s first Vande Bharat Sleeper train this month, a landmark moment in India’s high-speed rail journey.
Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw had earlier confirmed that the sleeper variant of the semi-high-speed Vande Bharat Express would debut in September. While the official inauguration date and the first route are yet to be finalized, preparations are already in full swing.
The prototype of the sleeper variant was manufactured at the Integral Coach Factory (ICF) in Chennai. Following a series of successful field trials, including a 540-kilometre test run on the Mumbai–Ahmedabad section, the first rake has entered its commissioning phase.
Key Features of Vande Bharat Sleeper
-
Speed & Capacity: Designed to run at speeds of up to 180 kmph, with a total berth capacity of 1,128 passengers.
-
Classes Available: AC First, AC 2-tier, and AC 3-tier.
-
Safety Measures: Equipped with crash buffers, fire barrier walls, and deformation tubes.
-
Passenger Comforts: Cushioned berths, modular pantries, automatic doors, onboard WiFi, public announcement systems, USB charging ports with reading lights, and showers in First AC.
Production Push & Expansion
Currently, ten sleeper rakes are under production, and contracts for 200 additional sets have been awarded to technology partners. Of these, 120 trains (16 coaches each) will be supplied under the initial deal.
The Railway Board has also approved capacity upgrades for existing Vande Bharat Express services. Many routes will expand from 8 to 16 coaches, with some going up to 20 coaches to handle increasing demand.
In Odisha, the Rourkela–Howrah Vande Bharat Express, initially launched as an 8-coach service, is set to double to 16 coaches, easing long waiting lists during the festive season.
Why Odisha Could Benefit
Though the inaugural route is still undecided, Odisha is seen as a strong contender for future allocation of the Vande Bharat Sleeper.
-
Long-distance corridors such as Bhubaneswar–Bengaluru and Bhubaneswar–Hyderabad, where travel takes 22–30 hours, are prime candidates for sleeper services.
-
A Vande Bharat Sleeper could reduce Bhubaneswar–Bengaluru travel time to around 17 hours, while offering international-standard comfort.
-
Odisha’s rail infrastructure—fully electrified lines, upgraded signalling systems, and high occupancy rates on premium trains—strengthens its case.
With Odisha’s growing demand for faster, safer, and more comfortable trains, the state could soon be among the biggest beneficiaries of this new sleeper variant.
