Patna: The Indian Railways is preparing to launch the country’s first Vande Bharat Sleeper Express ahead of Diwali, with reports suggesting the service could debut by the end of September.
Unlike the existing Vande Bharat Express trains, which are designed with chair-car seating for short and daytime journeys, the new sleeper variant has been built for overnight travel.
The train will run between Delhi and Patna via Prayagraj, cutting the journey time to around 11 and a half hours, compared with the current 12 to 17 hours. Officials said the train, which can reach a top speed of 180 km/h, will significantly outpace existing long-distance services. For instance, the Rajdhani Express takes about 23 hours to cover the same route.
The overnight schedule is expected to see the train depart from Patna at 8pm and arrive in Delhi at 7.30am. A similar timetable will operate in the opposite direction.
Built with Integral Coach Factory (ICF) technology by Bharat Earth Movers Limited (BEML), the sleeper train includes a range of modern features such as CCTV surveillance, automatic sensor doors, LED information screens, fire safety systems and onboard announcements. The interiors are styled with an aircraft-inspired design aimed at delivering a premium travel experience.
Ticket prices are expected to be 10–15% higher than those of the Rajdhani Express on the same route, though rail officials argue the shorter journey time and improved amenities justify the increase. The service is still expected to be more affordable than flights on the route, while offering comparable comfort.
The Delhi–Patna corridor is one of the busiest in the country, particularly during festival seasons, and rail authorities believe the new train will help ease congestion.
