Indian Railways Plans A Longer Vande Bharat Sleeper With 24 Coaches. Check What’s New

Indian Railways is gearing up to expand its Vande Bharat sleeper fleet with a 24-coach train designed for long-distance overnight travel. Targeted for rollout by June 2027, the new variant is expected to offer greater passenger capacity, a pantry car, additional toilets and upgraded interiors.

The Integral Coach Factory (ICF) in Chennai has been tasked with manufacturing 50 of these trainsets. The design is being finalised and is expected to be ready within a month, as reported by The Times of India.

The new train will build on the existing 16-coach sleeper design, with modifications to accommodate the additional coaches and onboard facilities. ICF has previously said the 24-coach version will be among the longest sleeper trainsets being manufactured

in India.

Indian Railways Plans More Than 200 Vande Bharat Sleeper Trains

The 24-coach project is part of Indian Railways’ broader plan to expand its Vande Bharat sleeper fleet, with more than 200 trainsets expected to be introduced over the coming years.

Three major manufacturing projects are currently in progress. BEML, with support from ICF, is producing 10 sleeper trainsets, while the Indo-Russian joint venture Kinet has been assigned 120. A consortium of Titagarh and BHEL is set to manufacture another 80 trains. Separately, ICF is developing its own sleeper version.

The new 24-coach variant will include a pantry car, unlike the other Vande Bharat sleeper design described in the report. The facility is expected to allow food to be heated and served onboard. ICF is also considering interior improvements, although the design work is still underway.

Vande Bharat Sleeper Train: Coaches And Configuration

The Vande Bharat sleeper prototypes feature 16 passenger coaches, including 11 AC 3-tier coaches, four AC 2-tier coaches and one AC First Class coach.

The proposed 24-coach version will increase passenger capacity. The number of toilets is also expected to rise to accommodate the larger trainset.

Speed And Passenger Comfort

The Vande Bharat sleeper train is designed to operate at speeds of up to 160 kmph, with a testing speed of 180 kmph. However, much of the Indian Railways network cannot currently support operations at these speeds.

Drawing inspiration from European trains, the sleeper version will feature cushioned berths intended to improve comfort on overnight journeys. The access arrangements for upper berths have also been redesigned to make climbing easier.

Other planned amenities include individual reading lights, charging points and refreshment tables. The interiors will feature glass-fibre-reinforced plastic (GFRP) panels.

Modern Toilets And Onboard Facilities

The train will have modern bio-vacuum toilets, similar to those used in aircraft. A toilet designed for passengers with disabilities will also include a baby-care station.

The AC First Class coach will feature shower facilities with hot water. Dedicated night lighting, an integrated announcement system with visual displays, CCTV cameras and modular pantry units are also part of the planned onboard facilities.

The proposed pantry car on the 24-coach version will allow food to be heated and served during the journey, adding an onboard catering facility to the train.

Safety Systems And Energy Efficiency

The sleeper train will be equipped with the indigenous KAVACH anti-collision system. It will also use regenerative braking technology, which helps improve energy efficiency by recovering energy during braking. Automatic interconnecting doors will be fitted between coaches, while sealed gangways are designed to help maintain cleaner air and regulate temperatures inside the train.

A Centralised Coach Monitoring System will support onboard monitoring. An emergency communication system will also allow passengers to contact the driver when necessary. The train doors are designed to open automatically at designated stations, forming part of the train’s passenger convenience and operational features.

With the proposed 24-coach variant, Indian Railways is looking to expand the capacity and onboard facilities of its sleeper train offering as it develops its wider Vande Bharat network.