In a first, India is all set to introduce its first Vande Bharat Sleeper train in Kerala. The train will run between Thiruvananthapuram and Mangaluru, which will mark a significant step in Indian Railways’ efforts to modernise long-distance travel and strengthen inter-zone connectivity. This new addition, introduced by Northern Railway, is part of a broader plan to expand India’s railway infrastructure with a focus on speed, comfort, and convenience.
In addition to the Thiruvananthapuram–Mangaluru route, the government is also planning new routes such as Thiruvananthapuram–Bengaluru and Kanyakumari–Srinagar. These proposed connections aim to make cross-country travel more accessible, promoting seamless movement between distant regions of India. The introduction of these long-distance sleeper trains is a response to the growing demand for faster, more comfortable travel options that can connect major cities and regions efficiently.
The Vande Bharat Sleeper train is a collaborative effort between two key railway institutions. The Integral Coach Factory (ICF) in Chennai is responsible for the train’s design, while Bharat Earth Movers Limited (BEML) is managing the manufacturing process. The result will be a 16-coach air-conditioned sleeper train capable of carrying up to 1,128 passengers. These coaches are being specially designed to offer comfort on overnight journeys.
Modern passenger amenities will be a hallmark of this train. Each coach will feature ergonomically designed sleeping berths, improved lighting for reading, and a GPS-based LED display system that provides real-time travel updates. Accessibility is also a priority, with features such as special berths and toilets for persons with disabilities. Additional conveniences include automatic doors, a modular pantry for efficient food service, and the Kavach safety system for enhanced operational security.
While Vande Bharat trains with chair cars are already operational on various routes, work is underway to develop their sleeper versions. Sixteen chair car trains will be converted using ten available rakes. Alongside this, ICF has been tasked with producing 50 brand-new Vande Bharat Sleeper trains, in addition to the ten currently under development. These trains are expected to be fully operational by 2026–27.
The launch of the first Vande Bharat Sleeper train from Kerala marks a major milestone for Indian Railways, ushering in a new era of comfortable, high-speed overnight travel that connects distant parts of the country more efficiently than ever before.
In addition to the Thiruvananthapuram–Mangaluru route, the government is also planning new routes such as Thiruvananthapuram–Bengaluru and Kanyakumari–Srinagar. These proposed connections aim to make cross-country travel more accessible, promoting seamless movement between distant regions of India. The introduction of these long-distance sleeper trains is a response to the growing demand for faster, more comfortable travel options that can connect major cities and regions efficiently.
The Vande Bharat Sleeper train is a collaborative effort between two key railway institutions. The Integral Coach Factory (ICF) in Chennai is responsible for the train’s design, while Bharat Earth Movers Limited (BEML) is managing the manufacturing process. The result will be a 16-coach air-conditioned sleeper train capable of carrying up to 1,128 passengers. These coaches are being specially designed to offer comfort on overnight journeys.
Modern passenger amenities will be a hallmark of this train. Each coach will feature ergonomically designed sleeping berths, improved lighting for reading, and a GPS-based LED display system that provides real-time travel updates. Accessibility is also a priority, with features such as special berths and toilets for persons with disabilities. Additional conveniences include automatic doors, a modular pantry for efficient food service, and the Kavach safety system for enhanced operational security.
While Vande Bharat trains with chair cars are already operational on various routes, work is underway to develop their sleeper versions. Sixteen chair car trains will be converted using ten available rakes. Alongside this, ICF has been tasked with producing 50 brand-new Vande Bharat Sleeper trains, in addition to the ten currently under development. These trains are expected to be fully operational by 2026–27.
The launch of the first Vande Bharat Sleeper train from Kerala marks a major milestone for Indian Railways, ushering in a new era of comfortable, high-speed overnight travel that connects distant parts of the country more efficiently than ever before.
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