Indian Railways is set to redefine overnight travel with plans for a larger, 24-coach Vande Bharat sleeper train. This move signals a major upgrade for long-distance routes, promising more capacity and enhanced comfort for millions of passengers.
A Bigger, Better Sleeper Train
Indian
Railways is advancing its ambitious modernization goals with a plan to introduce a 24-coach version of the Vande Bharat sleeper train. This new configuration is a significant step up from the 16-coach sleeper prototypes that have recently begun operations. While the 16-coach trains accommodate around 823 passengers, the new 24-coach design aims to carry approximately 1,224 passengers, a substantial increase in capacity. This expansion is specifically targeted at India’s busiest and longest overnight routes, where demand is consistently high. The Integral Coach Factory (ICF) in Chennai has been tasked with manufacturing an initial batch of 50 of these larger trainsets, underscoring the scale of this initiative.
What's New in the 24-Coach Design?
The primary enhancement in the 24-coach version is the inclusion of a dedicated pantry car. This addresses a key limitation of the 16-coach model and will allow for fresh, hot meals to be prepared and served on board, a crucial feature for long journeys. The design also calls for more toilets to comfortably accommodate the increased passenger load. Beyond these practical additions, passengers can expect the same modern amenities that define the Vande Bharat experience: automatic doors, bio-vacuum toilets, ergonomically designed berths with improved cushioning, and superior ride comfort due to advanced suspension. First Class AC coaches are expected to retain premium features like hot water showers. The goal is to create an end-to-end premium experience that makes overnight train travel more comfortable and convenient.
The Rajdhani Challenger
For decades, the Rajdhani Express has been the gold standard for premium long-distance train travel in India. The Vande Bharat sleeper is poised to become its modern successor. The key advantage of the Vande Bharat platform is its self_propelled trainset design, which eliminates the need for a separate locomotive. This allows for faster acceleration and deceleration, significantly reducing overall journey times, often by several hours. The trains are designed to operate at speeds of up to 160 km/h on suitable tracks. Furthermore, the Vande Bharat sleepers incorporate advanced safety features, including the 'Kavach' anti_collision system, and are built with more durable materials for enhanced crash protection, setting a new benchmark for safety on Indian rails.
Manufacturing and Timeline
Bringing these state_of_the_art trains to the public is a massive industrial effort involving several key players. While consortiums led by BEML and Titagarh Rail Systems are manufacturing the initial 16_coach sleeper trains, the new 24_coach version is a focused project for ICF Chennai. The design for the larger train is currently being finalised, with a target for completion by November 2026. Following this, manufacturing of a prototype will commence, with an expected rollout in mid_2027. While new Vande Bharat sleeper services on 16_coach trains are already being launched on routes like Mumbai–Bengaluru, passengers will need to wait a bit longer for the higher_capacity 24_coach trains to enter service. This phased approach allows the railways to gather feedback and perfect the design before a widespread rollout.
