Patna: Indian Railways is set to expand its Vande Bharat fleet with the introduction of a sleeper version of the high-speed train, following the success of the Vande Bharat chair car. The first model of the Vande Bharat Sleeper train is ready and it was announced by Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnav, who said the train would undergo testing within the next 10 days, with a public launch expected in three months.
The inaugural Vande Bharat Sleeper train is scheduled to run between Patna and Delhi, covering the distance at a speed of 160 km/h. This 16-coach train will significantly reduce travel time, making the journey between the two cities in just eight hours. However, the exact stoppages for the service have yet to be finalised.
In comparison to the chair car version, the Vande Bharat Sleeper train will offer increased capacity, featuring 16 coaches and 823 berths, compared to the chair car’s 530 seats spread across eight coaches.
Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnav emphasised that the Vande Bharat Sleeper train has been designed with the middle class in mind. He indicated that the fare would be comparable to that of the Rajdhani Express, making it an attractive option for overnight travel. The train will initially be operated on routes ranging from 800 to 1,200 km, with minimal vibration during the journey to ensure passenger comfort.
The minister confirmed that the sleeper train is on track to commence operations by December, following two months of rigorous testing. He explained that the train is specifically designed for overnight journeys, allowing passengers to board around 10 pm and arrive at their destination by morning.
An official from the Railway Board suggested that with the introduction of the Vande Bharat and Amrit series, Indian Railways is entering a new era. While the Rajdhani and Shatabdi Express trains have long been the backbone of the country’s rail network, these newer, technologically advanced trains are set to take over that legacy.
Bihar is expected to receive four more Vande Bharat Express trains, with one arriving this year and the remaining three by 2025. These new services are expected to cut travel time by nearly half, reducing a 10-hour journey to just five or six hours. Indian Railways is rapidly expanding its Vande Bharat services, not just to connect major cities but also to enhance connectivity to smaller towns, with the East Central Railway leading the charge in increasing the number of these high-speed trains.
