Vande Bharat Sleeper Train: Kinet Railway Solutions, an Indo-Russian joint venture, unveiled the design concept of the First AC coach for the Vande Bharat Sleeper train on Wednesday. The showcase took place at the International Railway Equipment Exhibition (IREE) 2025, held at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi.
The joint venture, formed by Russian rolling stock leader TMH and Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL), has been tasked with manufacturing and maintaining 120 Vande Bharat Sleeper trains, totaling 1,920 coaches for Indian Railways.
Spacious Design with Modern Comforts
The First AC four-berth compartment prioritizes passenger comfort and privacy. It features a staircase for easy upper-berth access, built-in USB ports at each seat, individual reading lights, and smart storage compartments.
“Modern and premium materials meet in harmony, while soft tones and warm metallic accents add a touch of elegance. A delicate national-style motif, developed together with Indian artists using the traditional block printing technique, gently frames the cabin, adding a familiar cultural warmth. Even the niche under the staircase serves as a bedside space – a place for a book, a phone, or a watch – a small yet meaningful detail that makes the journey feel personal,” Kinet Railway Solutions said in a statement.
Production Milestones and Future Plans
Speaking at IREE 2025, Nishunk Garg, Project Director of Kinet Railway Solutions, highlighted that the Marathwada Rail Coach Factory in Latur is approaching the final stages of modernization, with production expected to ramp up by the end of 2025. He added that unveiling the First AC sleeper design concept represents a key milestone in this project.
The first prototype of the sleeper train is expected to be revealed in June 2026. Maintenance depots are currently under construction in Jodhpur, with additional facilities planned for Delhi and Bengaluru.
Earlier, the Ministry of Railways awarded manufacturing contracts for the Vande Bharat Sleeper trains to BEML, Kinet Railway Solutions, and a consortium of Titagarh Rail Systems and Bharat Heavy Engineering Limited (BHEL). The national transporter plans to launch two Vande Bharat Sleeper trains together, with Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw confirming that the launch will happen only after the second train is fully ready. The first of these trains is being built by BEML using ICF technology.