In a significant development, Indian Railways reportedly is set to roll out a new 24-coach variant of the Vande Bharat Sleeper train by next year.
Vande Bharat is one of India's most premium train services. Launched in 2019, it has gained significant popularity among Indian passengers. The train offers modern facilities and a comfortable travel experience.
Integral Coach Factory (ICF), which is located in Chennai has been tasked with manufacturing 50 Vande Bharat Sleeper trains, each comprising 24 coaches.
Let's explore the key features and facilities of the upcoming 24-coach Vande Bharat Sleeper train.
Key Features of the 24-Coach Vande Bharat Sleeper Train
The Indian government is aiming to transform long distance rail travel in India by introducing modern facilities and improving passenger comfort. The rollout of the new variant is expected by June 2027, after the design is finalised.
Currently, Indian Railways has 2 types of Vande Bharat trains: the chair-car variant and the 16-coach Vande Bharat Sleeper train. The upcoming 24-coach variant aims to transform India's long-distance rail travel with modern facilities.
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Feature
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Details
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Manufacturer
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Integral Coach Factory (ICF), Chennai
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Total Coaches
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24 coaches in each train
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Manufacturing Target
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50 trainsets
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Expected Rollout
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June 2027
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Pantry Car
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A separate pantry car to heat and serve food during long journeys
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Toilets
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More bio-vacuum toilets to serve additional passengers
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Maximum Operating Speed
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Designed to run at 160 km/h
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Testing Speed
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Can be tested at speeds of up to 180 km/h
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Sleeping Berths
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Cushioned berths designed for comfortable overnight travel
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First AC Facilities
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Hot water shower facilities in First AC coaches
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Safety System
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Equipped with the indigenous KAVACH train protection system
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Automatic Doors
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Doors designed to open and close automatically
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Sealed Gangways
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Enclosed connections between coaches to help maintain temperature and reduce dust
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Passenger Convenience
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Individual reading lights, charging points and emergency communication systems
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Accessibility
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Specially designed toilets with baby-care facilities for passengers who need them
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16-Coach vs 24-Coach Vande Bharat Sleeper Train: Differences
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Feature
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Existing 16-Coach Variant
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Upcoming 24-Coach Variant
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Total coaches
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16 coaches
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24 coaches
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Manufacturer
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BEML, with support from ICF
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Integral Coach Factory (ICF), Chennai
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Manufacturing target
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Part of the existing sleeper train programme
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50 trainsets planned
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Main purpose
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Long-distance overnight travel
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Longer-distance journeys with higher passenger demand
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Pantry car
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No dedicated pantry car in the existing design
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Dedicated pantry car planned
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Food service
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Food service arrangements without a dedicated pantry car
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Pantry car will allow food to be heated and served onboard
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Toilets
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Modern toilets
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Additional toilets planned to support more passengers
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Berth configuration
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11 AC 3-tier, 4 AC 2-tier and 1 AC First Class coach
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Final coach and berth configuration not yet confirmed
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Passenger capacity
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Around 823 berths
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Expected to be higher; exact capacity not announced
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Operating speed
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Designed for 160 km/h
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Expected to retain the existing design speed 160 km/h
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Safety system
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KAVACH, CCTV surveillance and fire safety systems
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Detailed specifications to be confirmed
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Expected rollout
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Regular service began in January 2026
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Targeted for June 2027
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Vande Bharat has been one of the key projects of Indian Railways over the last decade or so. Its continuous development clearly reflects the changing priorities of Indian Railways towards modernisation, improved passenger comfort and better travel facilities.