The first prototype of the Vande Bharat sleeper trainset has been manufactured and is set to undergo field trials soon. Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw shared this information in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha on Friday, adding that the rollout timeline would depend on the successful completion of these trials.
Designed for long and medium-distance journeys, the Vande Bharat sleeper trains aim to enhance passenger comfort with state-of-the-art features and modern amenities. Vaishnaw highlighted key features, including the Kavach automatic train protection system, compliance with the latest fire-safety standards, crashworthy semi-permanent couplers, and a regenerative braking system for energy efficiency. These trains also promise quicker acceleration and deceleration for improved average speeds.
The Railway Minister provided an update on the operational medium-distance Vande Bharat trains, revealing that 136 services with chair-car coaches are currently in operation across the Indian Railways network. Among these, 16 services cater to stations in Tamil Nadu, underscoring the growing network of Vande Bharat Express trains.
The longest Vande Bharat route in service connects Delhi to Varanasi, covering 771 km. Vaishnaw added that the introduction of new train services, including Vande Bharat and its variants, is a continuous process influenced by factors such as traffic demand, operational feasibility, and resource availability.
The Vande Bharat sleeper trains are expected to play a pivotal role in revolutionizing train travel in India, combining speed, comfort, and efficiency for long-haul passengers.