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Tatanagar in Jharkhand to get two new Sleeper Vande Bharat Express trains, which will improve long-distance rail travel to Mumbai and Varanasi. The new services are expected to offer faster journeys, better comfort, and improved connectivity for passengers.
According to a report, the South Eastern Railway has sent a detailed proposal to the Railway Board from its Garden Reach headquarters on June 11, currently awaiting approval.
Sleeper Vande Bharat Express Trains by South Eastern Railway
The first proposed Sleeper Vande Bharat Express will run between Shalimar in West Bengal and Mumbai. The train will pass through Tatanagar and Chakradharpur in Jharkhand before travelling through Odisha and Chhattisgarh. Once approved, the service is expected to provide a faster, safer, and more comfortable travel option between eastern and western India.
The second proposed train will operate between Tatanagar and Varanasi. The project was first suggested in 2024 to improve rail connectivity between Jharkhand, Bihar and Uttar Pradesh. However, the plan was delayed because Tatanagar station did not have enough maintenance facilities. Local MP Bidyut Baran Mahato has been requesting the Railways to start the service, saying it is important for passengers in the region.
Coaching Depot at Tatanagar
To support the new Sleeper Vande Bharat trains, South Eastern Railway plans to build a modern coaching depot at Tatanagar at an estimated cost of ₹283 crore. At present, the station has only one upgraded washing line, which has been used for cleaning and maintaining existing Vande Bharat trains since August 2024.
Officials said the new coaching depot, along with the redevelopment of Tatanagar railway station, will improve maintenance facilities and allow the station to handle more high-speed trains.
Tatanagar to Become the Major Vande Bharat Hub
If both proposals are approved, Tatanagar will become one of the major Vande Bharat hubs in eastern India with five Vande Bharat train connections. The station already has direct Vande Bharat services to Patna and Berhampur, while the Ranchi-Howrah and Rourkela-Howrah Vande Bharat Express trains also pass through Tatanagar six days a week.
Railway officials said Vande Bharat trains have become popular because of their speed, modern facilities, safety, cleanliness and passenger comfort. They believe the new Sleeper Vande Bharat trains will also receive a good response from long-distance travellers once approved.