Vande Bharat Sleeper: Route, Trains, Coach Design and Ticket Price; Check All Details

The Vande Bharat Sleeper Train is set to revolutionise long-distance rail travel in India, with its initial route planned between New Delhi and Srinagar, covering approximately 800 kilometres.

This route is expected to significantly reduce travel time to around 13 hours, offering a more efficient alternative to traditional overnight trains like the Rajdhani Express. The launch of this service is anticipated in January 2025.

Source: Constrofacilitator

Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has announced that the first prototype of the Vande Bharat sleeper train is complete and will soon begin field trials. This new addition to the Indian Railways aims to significantly enhance the travel experience for passengers, providing superior speed, safety, and amenities compared to existing services like the Rajdhani Express.

See More| New Delhi to Srinagar Vande Bharat Sleeper: Start Date, Ticket Price, Train Time and Other Details

Vande Bharat Sleeper Routes and Travel Time

Initially, the Vande Bharat Sleeper will connect New Delhi and Srinagar, marking a milestone by connecting the national capital to Jammu and Kashmir. The train is speculated to run from January 2025.

Covering approximately 800 kilometres, this route aims to reduce travel time significantly, completing the journey in around 13 hours. Future routes are expected, including potential expansions on high-demand corridors like Delhi-Mumbai and Delhi-Chennai.

• New Delhi to Srinagar: Distance: ~800 km; Expected Travel Time: ~13 hours
• Delhi-Mumbai Corridor: This route aims to cut travel time to 12 hours, with stops at key stations such as Kota, Ratlam, Vadodara, and Surat.
• Future Expansions: Potential routes include connections to Delhi-Chennai and Delhi-Patna, addressing high passenger demand on these busy corridors.

Vande Bharat Features and Coach Design

Source: The Financial Express

The Vande Bharat Sleeper is equipped with:

• Regenerative braking recycles energy during braking, enhancing fuel efficiency and reducing the train’s carbon footprint.
• Under-slung propulsion for a quieter and lighter travel experience.
• Automatic Train Protection (ATP) to ensure safety through a system that monitors speed, distance, and track conditions.
• Modern amenities: Each coach has automated doors, bio-vacuum toilets, Wi-Fi, a GPS-based passenger information system, individual charging points, reading lights, and sliding doors for privacy.
• Capacity: Up to 823 passengers across 16 coaches, including AC First Class, AC 2-Tier, and AC 3-Tier options.
• The train is equipped with the Kavach automatic train protection system, which prevents collisions and complies with the EN 45545 HL3 fire safety standards. It includes crashworthy semi-permanent couplers and anti-climber designs to ensure passenger safety during travel.
• Designed to offer a "luxurious" experience at competitive fares (similar to Rajdhani Express), the Vande Bharat sleeper trains will include various AC options—First AC, 2-tier, and 3-tier coaches. 
• The Vande Bharat Sleeper is engineered for high speeds, capable of reaching up to 160 kilometres per hour. This allows for faster travel times on long routes, such as the planned connection between New Delhi and Srinagar, which spans approximately 800 kilometres.

Vande Bharat Sleeper Seating and Accommodation

The Vande Bharat Sleeper will feature three classes: AC First Class, AC 2-Tier, and AC 3-Tier. With 16 carriages per train, the coaches have a total capacity of 1,128 passengers, including 11 AC 3-Tier, four AC 2-Tier, and one First-Class coach.

Vande Bharat Sleeper Ticket Price

While official prices are pending, the fares are expected to be competitive with other premium trains like the Rajdhani and Duronto Express, with estimates suggesting:

• AC 3-Tier: Approximately ₹2,000.
• AC 2-Tier: Around ₹2,500.
• AC First Class: Roughly ₹3,000.
• Dynamic pricing may apply, with discounts for early bookings or off-peak travel

With the Vande Bharat Sleeper trains, Indian Railways is set to provide a blend of comfort, speed, and technology for overnight travellers. These features make the Vande Bharat Sleeper a promising upgrade for long-distance travel across India, symbolising both technological progress and national pride.

As of now, Indian Railways operates 136 Vande Bharat services with chair-car coaches across its network, including routes in Tamil Nadu and a notable long-distance service connecting Delhi to Varanasi (771 km). The introduction of sleeper variants is part of an ongoing effort to modernise the railway system based on traffic demand and operational feasibility.

The successful completion of field trials is crucial for determining the rollout timeline for these sleeper trains. Minister Vaishnaw has emphasised that the expansion of Vande Bharat services is a continuous process aimed at improving passenger experiences across India’s extensive railway network.

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