Bengaluru has taken a significant leap in India's rail modernization story with the manufacturing of the country's first semi-high-speed sleeper train. However, the movement of the second rake of the much-anticipated Vande Bharat Sleeper has hit a procedural pause, even as officials eye a potential New Year rollout for passengers.
Current Status: Rake at SMVT, Awaiting Green Signal
Contrary to earlier reports of its dispatch, the second completed rake of the Vande Bharat Sleeper is currently stationed at the SMVT (Sir M. Visvesvaraya Terminal) railway station in Bengaluru. Railway officials clarified that while it was moved to SMVT on Monday morning, it has not yet received the necessary clearance to leave the city.
The rake is expected to remain at SMVT for another two to three days as final inspections and procedural formalities are completed. This rake follows the first one, both manufactured at the Bengaluru facility of public sector undertaking Bharat Earth Movers Ltd (BEML).
Designed for Speed and Comfort on Long Routes
The Vande Bharat Sleeper variant has been specifically engineered for overnight and long-distance journeys, typically covering distances between 800 km to 1,000 km. It promises to significantly reduce travel time compared to traditional Mail and Express sleeper services on these routes.
Mirroring the performance of its chair car siblings, the sleeper version can achieve a maximum speed of 160 km per hour. Its advanced acceleration and braking systems allow for quicker journey times, making it a faster alternative for inter-city night travel.
Configuration and Operational Plans
The 16-coach train is designed to cater to a wide range of passengers, offering three classes of travel: Third AC, Second AC, and First AC. This configuration is similar to existing premium AC sleeper trains, providing familiar comfort with enhanced speed.
The Northern Railway zone has been tasked with operating the first commercial service of this new train. This zone encompasses major routes across North India, including Delhi, Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, and Jammu & Kashmir, indicating the likely corridors for its initial deployment.
Once all formalities are wrapped up in Bengaluru, the rake will be handed over to Northern Railway. Officials have hinted that, with preparations in full swing, the train could be introduced as a special New Year offering to the public, marking a new era for comfortable and rapid overnight rail travel in India.
