Click it and Unblock the Notifications
The Indian Railways is preparing to change travel overnight by introducing the first Vande Bharat sleeper trains in January 2026. Unlike the present Vande Bharat trains that run only during the day with chair-car seating, these new trains will allow passengers to travel comfortably through the night. They will
operate at speeds of up to 180 kmph, offering a mix of speed, modern design, and improved comfort for long-distance journeys.
Vande Bharat Trains Design
The sleeper coaches for these trains were created by BEML in Bengaluru and further upgraded at the Integrated Coach Factory (ICF) in Perambur. The prototype, consisting of 16 coaches, has already gone through several rounds of testing in different railway zones in India. These tests were done to make sure the coaches are safe, stable, and comfortable for passengers. The design aims to bring the advanced features of existing Vande Bharat trains into a format suitable for overnight travel.
Conduction of Extensive Trials
Extensive trials have been conducted under the supervision of the Research Designs and Standards Organisation (RDSO) for the second sleeper rake. These tests checked important factors including how well the train brakes, how it behaves during emergency stops, how stable it is at high speeds, and whether the mechanical and electrical systems work reliably. The trials also studied vibrations, oscillations, and the Emergency Braking Distance (EBD) to ensure the train performs safely in all situations.
Testing in Three Railway Zones
Testing took place in three major railway zones to reflect real operating conditions. The trials were done on the Mahoba-Khajuraho route in the North Central Railway, the Sawai Madhopur-Kota-Nagda stretch in the West Central Railway, and the Ahmedabad-Mumbai section in the Western Railway. During these runs, the train successfully touched 180 kmph, proving that it is ready to become India's fastest and most comfortable option for overnight travel.
