According to officials, the full-scale production of the 24-car Vande Bharat Sleeper train is expected to begin in 2026-27.
The Indian Railways is set to expand its premium train fleet with the introduction of nine additional Vande Bharat Sleeper trains by the end of 2025. Following successful trials, the production of these modern sleeper trains is underway to enhance long-distance travel comfort.
Indian Railways Orders 9 More Vande Bharat Sleeper Trains
After the successful long-distance trial of the first Vande Bharat Sleeper train, the Ministry of Railways has announced the production of nine more sleeper versions of the high-speed Vande Bharat Express. These 16-car trains will be manufactured by the Integral Coach Factory (ICF) in Chennai, a key unit of Indian Railways.
Future Expansion: 24-Car Vande Bharat Sleeper Trains
Alongside the 16-car versions, the Indian Railways is also planning the production of 24-car Vande Bharat Sleeper trains. On December 17, 2024, an order was placed for propulsion electrics, the system responsible for powering trains with electricity. This order covers 50 rakes of 24-car Vande Bharat Sleeper train sets and has been awarded to two companies:
- Medha Servo Drives Pvt Ltd (MSDPL), Hyderabad – supplying 33 rakes
- Alstom, France – supplying 17 rakes
The full-scale production of the 24-car sleeper trains is expected to commence in 2026-27.
Successful Trial Runs of Vande Bharat Sleeper Trains
The Research Designs & Standards Organisation (RDSO) completed the first 540 km trial run of the 16-car Vande Bharat Sleeper train on January 15, 2025, between Mumbai and Ahmedabad. Before this, the train underwent short-distance high-speed tests (30-40 km) in Kota Division, reaching speeds of 180 km/h.
Before the train’s commercial operations begin, RDSO will issue a final certificate, and the Railway Safety Commissioner will conduct a thorough evaluation to ensure passenger safety at maximum speeds.
Features of the Vande Bharat Sleeper Trains
Each 16-car Vande Bharat Sleeper train is divided into three travel classes:
- AC First Class
- AC 2-Tier
- AC 3-Tier
The train can accommodate 1,128 passengers and is designed with advanced safety features, including:
- Crash buffers
- Deformation tubes
- Fire-barrier walls
Major Contracts for Vande Bharat Sleeper Trains
The Indian Railways has signed key contracts with national and international firms to ensure the rapid production of Vande Bharat Sleeper trains:
- Titagarh Rail Systems Ltd (TRSL) & Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd (BHEL)
- In June 2023, this consortium secured a contract to manufacture 80 Vande Bharat Sleeper trains for a total cost of ₹24,000 crore.
- Kinet Railway Solutions Ltd (Indo-Russia Joint Venture)
- On September 27, 2023, the Indian Railways signed a contract with this Indo-Russian Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV), which includes:
- Transmashholding (TMH), Russia – largest rolling stock manufacturer
- Locomotive Electronic Systems (LES), Russia
- Metrowagonmash, Russia
- Rail Vikas Nigam Ltd (RVNL), India
- On September 27, 2023, the Indian Railways signed a contract with this Indo-Russian Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV), which includes:
- Marathwada Rail Coach Factory (MRCF), Latur
- As per the contract, Kinet will manufacture 1,920 Vande Bharat Sleeper coaches at MRCF, Latur, Maharashtra.
- They will also provide 35 years of maintenance services for these coaches.
Final Call: A New Era of Vande Bharat Sleeper Trains in India
With these upcoming Vande Bharat Sleeper trains, Indian Railways is set to revolutionize long-distance train travel. By the end of December 2025, passengers can expect nine new premium sleeper trains, followed by the mass production of 24-car versions from 2026-27. These developments mark a significant step toward modernizing India’s rail network, ensuring speed, safety, and comfort for travelers across the country.
Stay tuned for more updates on the Vande Bharat Sleeper trains!
