Patna : Indian Railways is preparing to introduce a sleeper version of the Vande Bharat Express on the Bhopal-Patna route, offering passengers a faster and more comfortable travel option. The sleeper variant, which has already been deployed on the Delhi-Srinagar route, will soon be operational between Rani Kamlapati station in Bhopal and Patliputra in Patna.
Senior Divisional Mechanical Engineer (DME) of Bhopal Railway Division, RP Khare, confirmed that the 5th or 6th rack of the sleeper Vande Bharat Express, which consists of 20 coaches, is expected to be allocated for this route. “It takes around two months to manufacture a sleeper Vande Bharat Express. The rack for the Bhopal-Patliputra route is likely to be ready by August or September,” Khare stated.
Significant Time Savings for Passengers
Currently, the distance between Bhopal and Patna is approximately 850 km, with regular trains taking 18-20 hours to cover the journey. Some special trains take even longer, between 20-25 hours. However, the introduction of the sleeper Vande Bharat Express is expected to reduce this travel time to 14-15 hours, saving passengers 4 to 5 hours. The new service will also offer the convenience of overnight travel, allowing passengers to rest during the journey.
Enhanced Facilities for Vande Bharat Passengers
In addition to the sleeper service, Indian Railways has enhanced passenger amenities across Vande Bharat Express trains. Passengers can now enjoy a wider range of meal options, with pre-booked meals complemented by additional snacks and packed items made available through vendor trolleys. This initiative, led by the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC), aims to improve the overall travel experience for passengers.
