NEW DELHI: In its bid to cater to the growing demand for Vande Bharat sleeper trains, railways will manufacture the first such premium train having 24 coaches at Integral Coach Factory (ICF), Chennai.The current Vande Bharat sleeper trains have 16 coaches and have capacity of 823 berths while the new 24-coach trains will have 1,224 berths. Railway officials said that the decision to manufacture a 24-coach train with pantry car has been planned following encouraging passenger feedback from the first Vande Bharat sleeper rake, which was flagged off by the on January 17 from Malda Town on Howrah–Kamakhya (Guwahati) route.Officials said the 24-coach Vande Bharat sleeper is currently in the design stage, with the prototype rake targeted for roll out by the end of 2026. The expanded configuration is aimed at significantly increasing passenger capacity while improving onboard services and comfort for long-distance overnight journeys.The proposed coach composition in the new train includes 17 AC 3-tier coaches, five AC 2-tier coaches, one AC First Class coach and one dedicated AC pantry car. A notable feature of the new configuration is the inclusion of a full-fledged AC pantry car, aimed at enhancing catering services on long journeys. In addition, mini-pantry units and linen storage spaces are being planned across coaches to ensure efficient service delivery. Passenger amenities will include ergonomically designed berths, individual reading lights, mobile and laptop charging points, Wi-Fi-enabled passenger information and infotainment systems, vacuum-assisted toilets, improved luggage space and modern interior fittings. Special provisions such as accessible toilets and ramps for divyangjan passengers are also part of the design.Officials said the trainset will be equipped with advanced propulsion and control systems, regenerative braking for improved energy efficiency, and a crashworthy stainless-steel car body compliant with contemporary safety standards. Fire safety systems aligned with international norms, CCTV surveillance, intelligent diagnostics and integration of the Kavach train collision avoidance system are also proposed.Designed for a maximum operational speed of 160 kmph, the train will feature air-spring suspension, disc brakes and enhanced noise insulation to ensure a smooth and quiet overnight travel experience.With energy-efficient systems, predictive maintenance and remote condition monitoring, the 24-coach Vande Bharat Sleeper underscores Indian Railways’ focus on capacity augmentation, modern technology and sustainable, world-class passenger services.
