STN: Indian Railways will start operating its first Vande Bharat Sleeper trains in January. This marks the beginning of overnight services under the Vande Bharat category. The new rollout comes after steady demand from passengers who wanted a night-travel version of the existing high-speed trains. The Railways plans to add eight more sleeper rakes by March. This will help expand long-distance routes and increase capacity on busy corridors.
What Is Changing With the Vande Bharat Sleeper
The new Vande Bharat Sleeper trains will improve long-distance travel. The Railways is moving from only daytime services to overnight operations. This will support passengers who travel across states and spend long hours on trains.
The sleeper coaches are being built at the Integrated Coach Factory (ICF) in Perambur. The unit makes around 4,000 coaches each year. Until now, 92 Vande Bharat trains were running across the country. All were chair-car models used mainly on daytime routes. The shift to sleeper services will allow Indian Railways to offer premium travel for overnight journeys. This will also increase efficiency and reduce travel time on many routes.
Development of the Vande Bharat Sleeper
The sleeper model was first developed at the BEML unit in Bengaluru. Engineers built a 16-coach prototype. Later, the prototype was moved to ICF for detailed testing. Once the tests are complete, it will be sent to Delhi for final assessments.
Testing and Expansion of Vande Bharat Sleeper
Officials have confirmed that the first Vande Bharat Sleeper will enter service in January. It will come with two sleeper coaches. A second sleeper train has also been assembled. It is currently undergoing trial runs in Ahmedabad.
The Railways expects strong demand once the trains begin running. Because of this, the Railway Board has approved plans to manufacture eight more sleeper trains by March. These new rakes will help grow the overnight high-speed network. This will benefit passengers who depend on long-distance rail travel for work, family visits, and tourism.
Future Routes Under Study
The Railways is also studying new routes for the sleeper model. One proposal is for a service between Bengaluru and Kanyakumari. This route connects major cities and towns in southern India. It is also one of the busiest travel corridors in the region. A Vande Bharat Sleeper on this stretch will reduce journey time and offer a faster option compared to current overnight trains.
The shift to sleeper services marks a new phase of the Vande Bharat programme. The trains will combine modern design, faster speeds, and a layout suitable for night travel. This change will improve the experience of long-distance passengers and support India’s broader railway modernisation plan.
FAQ
A: The trains are expected to run at speeds of 130–160 kmph, depending on track readiness.
A: Each sleeper coach is expected to follow a layout similar to AC 3-tier and AC 2-tier coaches, though final numbers may vary after trials.
A: Indian Railways is likely to include onboard meals, similar to existing Vande Bharat services, but final details will be announced closer to launch.
A: Yes. The trains are planned to offer onboard Wi-Fi and charging points near each berth.
A: The Railways has not confirmed pricing. However, fares may follow a structure similar to other premium trains like Rajdhani or Duronto.
A: Bookings are expected to open once the Railway Board announces the first route and completes safety approvals.
