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The Integral Coach Factory (ICF) in Chennai, a major production unit of Indian Railways, is preparing to manufacture 50 rakes of 24-coach Vande Bharat Sleeper trains, aiming to expand India's premium overnight train network and provide more berths and modern facilities for long-distance passengers.
24-Coach Vande Bharat Sleeper Trains
ICF General Manager Manish Agarwal announced the plan during the 80th Independence Day celebrations. He said that the production drawings for the new 24-coach trainsets are ready, covering the coach structure, connections between coaches, and equipment fitted underneath the coaches. However, the production is expected to begin soon.
The development follows the launch of India's first 16-coach Vande Bharat Sleeper service between Howrah and Kamakhya in January. The new 24-coach version will offer significantly more passenger capacity.
New Features of 24-Coach Vande Bharat Trains
Each train will have 1,224 berths, which is 401 more than the existing 823-berth configuration. The proposed train composition will include 17 AC 3-Tier coaches, five AC 2-Tier coaches, one AC First Class coach and one dedicated AC Pantry Car. The full pantry car is expected to improve catering facilities for passengers travelling overnight and on longer routes.
The new trains will also offer several modern passenger amenities. These will include individual reading lights, charging points for mobile phones and laptops, Wi-Fi-enabled passenger information and infotainment systems, and vacuum-assisted toilets.
The 24-coach Vande Bharat Sleeper trains are designed to operate at a maximum speed of 160 kmph. They will feature advanced propulsion and control systems to support faster and smoother journeys.
For safety, the trains will have regenerative braking, stainless-steel car bodies, fire safety systems and CCTV surveillance. They will also be equipped with Kavach, India's automatic train protection and collision avoidance system.
The production of these 50 trainsets under the Make in India initiative is expected to strengthen India's domestic railway manufacturing capabilities while improving capacity, comfort and safety for overnight rail travel.