The Government of India has planned the manufacture of 260 rakes of Vande Bharat Sleeper trainsets, Union Minister for Railways, Information & Broadcasting, and Electronics & Information Technology Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw informed the Lok Sabha in a written reply today.
The development of new-generation rolling stock such as the Vande Bharat Sleeper requires a holistic approach encompassing technological innovation, strategic planning, and advanced manufacturing processes to ensure safe, reliable, and comfortable passenger travel. The programme follows a structured pathway involving prototype development, extensive testing and trials, and subsequent series production.
The Vande Bharat Sleeper manufacturing programme is being executed in a phased manner by BEML Limited and Integral Coach Factory (ICF), Chennai, in collaboration with technology partners. Induction of these trainsets into regular passenger service will also be undertaken progressively, based on passenger demand and operational readiness.
Advanced Safety and Passenger Comfort Features
To elevate passenger experience and establish new benchmarks in overnight rail travel, Vande Bharat Sleeper trainsets will be equipped with modern coaches featuring state-of-the-art safety systems and amenities, including:
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Jerk-free semi-permanent couplers and anti-climbers
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KAVACH automatic train protection system
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High acceleration with design/operational speeds of 180/160 kmph
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Crashworthy carbody design compliant with EN standards
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Fire barrier doors at the ends of each coach
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Enhanced fire safety, including aerosol-based fire detection and suppression systems in electrical cabinets and lavatories
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Regenerative braking system for improved energy efficiency
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Air-conditioning units with indigenously developed UV-C lamp-based disinfection systems, capable of deactivating up to 99% of harmful bacteria
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Centrally controlled automatic plug doors and fully sealed wider gangways
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CCTV surveillance in all coaches
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Emergency talk-back units for direct communication between passengers and the Train Manager or Loco Pilot
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Special lavatories for Divyangjan passengers in driving coaches at both ends
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Centralised Coach Monitoring System for real-time monitoring of passenger amenities such as air-conditioning and lighting
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Ergonomically designed ladders for safe and easy access to upper berths
The Vande Bharat Sleeper programme represents a major step towards modernising long-distance rail travel in India, with a strong focus on safety, comfort, energy efficiency, and indigenous technology development.
