Big Update: Vande Bharat Trains to Receive Key Changes, Says Railway Minister
New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu): A major update has come regarding the much-anticipated Vande Bharat Sleeper Train, as Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnav announced that trials for the sleeper version of the Vande Bharat train are likely to begin soon. In a written statement in the Rajya Sabha, the minister revealed that the first prototype of the Vande Bharat Sleeper Train is ready, and its testing will commence shortly. However, the official launch of the train for passenger services is contingent on the successful completion of these trials.
Modern Features and Passenger Comfort
The Vande Bharat sleeper trains, designed for both long and medium-distance travel, will offer passengers state-of-the-art facilities. These include crashworthy designs, jerk-free couplers, armor protection, and compliance with EN-45545 HL3 fire safety standards. In case of an emergency, the trains will be equipped with a talk-back system to communicate between the passenger and the train manager or loco pilot.
Passenger Amenities
The new sleeper trains will feature comfortable air-conditioned coaches with modern lighting and ergonomic staircase designs to ease access to upper berths. All coaches will be fitted with CCTV cameras for enhanced security, while the trains will also have modern toilet facilities for passengers' convenience.
Expansion of Vande Bharat Services
In addition to the sleeper trains, the Railway Minister highlighted the success of the current Vande Bharat Express services. As of December 2, 2024, a total of 136 Vande Bharat services, primarily featuring chair car coaches, are operational across the Indian Railways network. Notably, 16 Vande Bharat Express trains are running in Tamil Nadu, with the longest service covering a distance of 771 km between Delhi and Banaras.
The introduction of the Vande Bharat Sleeper Train is expected to further enhance passenger experience and comfort on Indian Railways, with more details to follow after the trials.