First Vande Bharat in 2019, sleeper version came in 2026; now 260 trains in works
Indian Railways is expanding its Vande Bharat sleeper train project to modernize long-distance overnight travel across the country. With hundreds of trains currently in production or under contract, the initiative involves partnerships with both domestic and international firms to scale manufacturing.
Why it matters
The massive expansion of high-speed rail infrastructure is a key component of India's economic development and modernization strategy.
Indian Railways’ first Vande Bharat Express was launched back in 2019 amid much fanfare. The chair car train became the face of modern train travel in India and now the Vande Bharat sleeper train is looking to replicate the success for overnight long-distance journeys.The first pair of Vande Bharat sleeper trains was launched earlier this year between Guwahati and Howrah. The second pair is undergoing trials and is expected to enter service soon. Reports suggest it may run between Bengaluru and Mumbai, though an official confirmation is awaited.What is the status of the Vande Bharat sleeper train project and when will new trains be launched? We take a look:Vande Bharat Sleeper Train ProjectThe first 10 Vande Bharat sleeper trains are being manufactured by BEML. These are 16 car rakes.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in