In a significant move to transform long-distance rail travel in India, the government has announced plans to manufacture 260 rakes of Vande Bharat Sleeper trainsets. This ambitious initiative aims to upgrade passenger experience with cutting-edge safety systems and enhanced comfort features, as revealed by Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw in a written reply presented in the Lok Sabha.
Phased Implementation and Collaborative Manufacturing
The comprehensive programme will be executed through a carefully structured phased approach encompassing prototype development, rigorous testing procedures, extensive trials, and subsequent series production. The sleeper variant of the Vande Bharat trains is being developed through a coordinated manufacturing effort that brings together multiple key players in the railway ecosystem.
This collaborative initiative involves BEML, the Integral Coach Factory (ICF) located in Chennai, and various technology partners working in unison to bring this vision to reality. According to the official statement released by the government, "the development of new rolling stocks like Vande Sleeper necessitates a holistic approach, combining technological innovation, strategic planning and manufacturing to ensure a safe, reliable and comfortable travel experience for passengers."
Strategic Rollout Based on Demand and Readiness
The government has clarified that the induction of Vande Bharat Sleeper trainsets into regular passenger services will be carried out in phases, with the rollout schedule being determined by both operational readiness and actual demand patterns across different railway routes. The process involves development of prototype, extensive testing and trials followed by series production, ensuring that each trainset meets the highest standards of safety and performance before entering commercial service.
This project represents a crucial component of the broader push to enhance passenger experience while simultaneously improving operational efficiency and safety standards across the extensive Indian railway network. The new sleeper trainsets are being equipped with multiple advanced safety and passenger-centric features designed to set new benchmarks in rail transportation.
Advanced Safety Systems and Features
The Vande Bharat Sleeper trains will incorporate several sophisticated safety technologies that represent significant advancements over existing rolling stock. These include semi-permanent jerk-free couplers and anti-climbers designed to minimize impact forces during operations. A particularly noteworthy inclusion is the KAVACH safety system, India's indigenous automatic train protection system that enhances operational safety.
The trainsets will feature crashworthy coach design that complies with stringent EN safety standards, providing enhanced protection in unlikely event scenarios. Additional safety provisions include fire barrier doors, aerosol-based fire detection and suppression systems installed in electrical cabinets and lavatories, and comprehensive CCTV coverage across all coaches for continuous monitoring and security.
Energy Efficiency and Performance Specifications
From an operational perspective, the trains will incorporate regenerative braking systems that capture energy during braking and feed it back into the system, significantly improving energy efficiency. The trainsets are designed for higher acceleration capabilities with a maximum design speed of 180 kilometers per hour and an operating speed of 160 kilometers per hour, enabling faster journey times on suitable routes.
Passenger Comfort and Accessibility Features
Significant attention has been devoted to enhancing passenger comfort through various innovative features. The trains will be equipped with centrally controlled automatic plug doors for smooth operation, fully sealed wider gangways that reduce noise and vibration transmission between coaches, and centrally monitored coach systems for efficient management of onboard facilities.
The air-conditioning units will be fitted with indigenously developed UV-C lamp-based disinfection technology to improve hygiene inside coaches, addressing health concerns in shared transportation environments. Special provisions have been made for Divyangjan (differently-abled) passengers, including dedicated lavatories in driving coaches and emergency talk-back units that enable passenger communication with the train manager or loco pilot during emergencies.
This comprehensive approach to train design and manufacturing represents a paradigm shift in how Indian Railways approaches long-distance travel, combining technological innovation with passenger-centric design principles to create a travel experience that prioritizes both safety and comfort.
