South Western Railway has announced an extension to the tender submission deadline for establishing a dedicated maintenance depot for Vande Bharat sleeper trains in Bengaluru. The crucial infrastructure project, planned for Thanisandra, will now accept proposals for a longer period as the railway authority seeks qualified bidders.
Project Background and Initial Tender Process
The Construction Organisation of South Western Railway initially invited electronic tenders in July 2025 through a Request for Proposal process. The project aims to create a state-of-the-art maintenance facility specifically designed for the upcoming Vande Bharat sleeper train variants.
The depot will be developed using the Engineering, Construction and Procurement mode, which streamlines project execution under a single contract framework. This approach is expected to accelerate the development timeline while maintaining quality standards for the critical railway infrastructure.
Extended Deadline and Project Significance
The decision to extend the tender deadline provides additional time for potential bidders to prepare comprehensive proposals. This extension demonstrates SWR's commitment to ensuring thorough participation from qualified contractors capable of delivering this technologically advanced facility.
Located in Thanisandra, northern Bengaluru, the depot represents a significant infrastructure investment that will support the operational requirements of India's premium train services. The facility will be equipped to handle maintenance, cleaning, and servicing of multiple Vande Bharat sleeper coaches simultaneously.
Future Implications for Railway Development
This project marks an important milestone in India's railway modernization efforts. The dedicated sleeper depot will enhance operational efficiency and reduce maintenance turnaround times for the expanding Vande Bharat fleet.
The Bengaluru facility is expected to become a regional hub for maintaining these advanced trains, potentially serving routes across Southern India. As Vande Bharat sleeper trains enter commercial service, such specialized maintenance infrastructure will be crucial for ensuring reliable operations and passenger safety.
The extended tender period allows for more competitive bidding, which could ultimately benefit the project's quality and cost-effectiveness. Railway officials anticipate that the additional time will result in more comprehensive proposals from experienced infrastructure developers.
