The Vande Bharat sleeper trains are set to connect major cities like Delhi and Mumbai, Howrah and Chennai, and even extend to routes such as Kashmir to Kanyakumari.
The new Vande Bharat sleeper train is set to launch soon, with Indian Railways currently conducting trials. Over the past three days, the train has reached a peak speed of 180 km per hour during trials on a 40-km stretch in Rajasthan, according to the Railway Ministry. The trains have been projected as the epitome of Indian Railways’ technological prowess, and Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw reasserted this with a new video.
The trials, conducted by the Research Designs and Standards Organisation (RDSO), are expected to continue until the end of January, after which the train will be prepared for passenger services.
“The trials will continue until the end of this month, after which this state-of-the-art long-distance travel option will be available to passengers across the country,” the ministry stated in a press release. The ministry also shared a video posted by Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on X.
The video features a nearly full glass of water placed next to a mobile phone on a flat surface inside the Vande Bharat sleeper train. The water level remains stable as the train reaches its peak speed of 180 km per hour, demonstrating the comfort of high-speed rail travel.
Vande Bharat (Sleeper) testing at 180 kmph pic.twitter.com/ruVaR3NNOt
— Ashwini Vaishnaw (@AshwiniVaishnaw) January 2, 2025
The ministry explained that the Vande Bharat sleeper train is equipped with features such as automatic doors, ultra-comfortable berths, onboard Wi-Fi, and an aircraft-inspired design. “With these successful trials, passengers can look forward to a world-class travel experience on long-distance routes like Kashmir to Kanyakumari, Delhi to Mumbai, Howrah to Chennai, and many more,” it added.
Similar speeds were recorded in previous trials on the Rohal Khurd-Kota and Kota-Nagda routes.
Indian Railways confirmed that the Railway Safety Commissioner will now evaluate the train’s performance. Only after receiving official certification will the sleeper train be cleared for regular passenger operations at a maximum speed of 160 kmph.
Features designed for overnight travel
The Vande Bharat sleeper train offers several advanced features aimed at improving overnight travel. These include redesigned berths, easy-to-use ladders, and accessibility options for passengers with limited mobility. In terms of safety, it incorporates an EN-standard carbody, shock-absorbing anti-climbers, fire safety measures, and the KAVACH collision avoidance system. To enhance efficiency, the train uses regenerative braking to conserve energy. For smooth operations, it includes automatic doors, integrated monitoring systems, and direct emergency communication links.
Passenger comfort is also a priority, with internet connectivity, surveillance cameras, and aeronautical-inspired interiors. These upgrades make the Vande Bharat sleeper a more advanced and comfortable option compared to the current Rajdhani Express trains.
Vande Bharat Sleeper Routes
The Vande Bharat sleeper trains are set to connect major cities like Delhi and Mumbai, Howrah and Chennai, and even extend to routes such as Kashmir to Kanyakumari. The improved speed and efficiency of these trains are expected to substantially reduce travel times.
Currently, Indian Railways operates 136 Vande Bharat AC chair car trains for short and medium-distance routes. The introduction of the sleeper variants will expand the network, catering to long-distance travelers and providing an enhanced travel experience. Indian Railways mentioned, “With successful testing completed, passengers can look forward to faster and more comfortable long-distance journeys.”
