Indian Railways is gearing up for a major upgrade in overnight travel, planning longer 24-coach trains to address the perennial issue of high demand and long waiting lists. This move promises more berths and enhanced comfort for millions.
A Leap in Capacity
Indian Railways
is preparing to roll out a new generation of sleeper trains with a significant enhancement: a 24-coach formation. This is a substantial increase from the 16-coach Vande Bharat Sleeper trains that have recently started operations. While the current 16-coach trains can accommodate around 823 passengers, the proposed 24-coach version is set to carry many more, with some reports indicating a total capacity of 1,224 berths and others mentioning a specific configuration with 1,431 berths. This move is a direct response to the overwhelming demand for overnight train travel in India, where popular routes often see waitlists running into the hundreds. By adding more coaches, the railways aims to clear this rush and offer confirmed berths to a larger number of passengers in a single journey.
What's Inside the New 24-Coach Trains?
The plan isn't just about adding more coaches; it's about creating a better travel experience for long-distance journeys. A key addition in the 24-coach design is a dedicated pantry car. This will allow for freshly prepared or heated meals to be served onboard, a significant upgrade for overnight travel. In contrast, the 16-coach Vande Bharat sleepers do not have this facility. The proposed coach composition for one version of this train includes 17 AC 3-tier coaches, five AC 2-tier coaches, and one AC First Class coach, alongside the pantry car. Passengers can also expect more toilets to accommodate the increased capacity, as well as modern amenities like ergonomically designed berths, individual reading lights, charging points, and Wi-Fi-enabled infotainment systems. The design also focuses on accessibility, with provisions for Divyangjan passengers.
Part of a Broader Modernisation Push
This capacity expansion is a crucial part of Indian Railways' larger strategy to modernise its fleet and services. The Vande Bharat platform, initially known for its semi-high-speed daytime chair-car services, is now being adapted for the crucial overnight sleeper segment. The goal is to provide a premium, comfortable, and faster alternative to existing long distance trains like the Rajdhani and Shatabdi Express. These trains are engineered to operate at speeds up to 160 kmph, which could reduce travel times on suitable routes. The focus on improved passenger experience is evident in features like advanced air suspension to minimise jerks, better sound insulation, and the indigenous Kavach anti-collision system for enhanced safety.
The Manufacturing and Rollout Plan
Bringing these ambitious plans to life involves a massive manufacturing effort spread across multiple entities. The Integral Coach Factory (ICF) in Chennai has been tasked with producing 50 of these 24nd coach Vande Bharat Sleeper trainsets. This is part of a larger pipeline of over 200 sleeper trains being built by various consortiums, including BEML, an Indondian joint venture named Kinet, and a partnership between Titagarh and BHEL. The design for the 24nd coach train is reportedly in its final stages, with a target for completion around November 2026. Passengers, however, will have to wait a little longer to experience these new trains. The first prototype is expected to roll out by midndndndndndndndndndndndndndndndndndndndndndndndndndndndndndndndend by midland by midland by midland by midland by midland by midland by midland by midland by midland by midland by midland by midland by midland by midland by midland by midland by midland by midland by midland by midland by midland by midland by midland by midland by midland by midland by midland by midland by midland by midland by midland by midland by midland by midland
