Click it and Unblock the Notifications
India is getting ready to launch its first Vande Bharat Sleeper train, and Kerala will be the first state to welcome this new service. This new development is part of the Indian Railways' plan to improve long-distance travel and boost inter-zone connectivity. The train will run between Thiruvananthapuram and Mangaluru and is being introduced by the Northern Railway.
Focus on New Routes
Along with the main route from Thiruvananthapuram to Mangaluru, the government is also considering new routes such as Thiruvananthapuram to Bengaluru and Kanyakumari to Srinagar. These additions are aimed at strengthening connections across different parts of the country, making it easier for people to travel long distances comfortably and quickly.
Train Design and Manufacturing
The Vande Bharat Sleeper train is being developed with the help of two major railway institutions. The Integral Coach Factory (ICF) in Chennai is leading the design of the train, while Bharat Earth Movers Limited (BEML) is handling the manufacturing work. Together, they are working on creating a 16-coach air-conditioned sleeper train that can carry up to 1,128 passengers.
Modern Amenities for Passenger Comfort
The Vande Bharat Sleeper train is built with passenger comfort as the top priority. Each coach will have sleeping berths that are designed for a peaceful journey. There will be modern lighting systems to help passengers read easily, along with a GPS-based LED display system to show real-time travel updates.
The train will also include special features like accessible berths and toilets for people with disabilities, a modular pantry for better food service, automatic doors for convenience, and the advanced Kavach system to ensure safety during travel.
Progress and Future Plans
While the chair car versions of the Vande Bharat trains are already running on different routes, work is ongoing at ICF to turn some of these into sleeper versions. Sixteen existing chair cars will be modified using ten available rakes. In addition to this, the ICF has been given the task to make 50 more Vande Bharat Sleeper trains, apart from the ten already being built. These trains are expected to be ready by the 2026-27 period.
The arrival of the first Vande Bharat Sleeper train in Kerala is a big achievement for the Indian Railways. With its focus on modern design, better comfort, and improved safety, this train will bring a new level of experience for passengers. It also shows the growing efforts to connect different zones of the country through efficient rail services.
