Indian Railways plans expansion of Vande Bharat sleeper trains

Indian Railways is planning to expand the Vande Bharat sleeper train from 16 to 24 coaches to accommodate longer overnight journeys. Chennai’s Integral Coach Factory (ICF) has been tasked with manufacturing 50 of these trainsets.

The proposed 24-coach configuration will include a dedicated pantry car for heating and serving food, a departure from the modular pantry units used in existing models. While the exact passenger capacity for the new layout is yet to be finalized, the current 16-coach sleeper accommodates 823 passengers across various AC classes.

Existing sleeper features include ergonomic berths, individual reading lights, USB charging, and specialized facilities such as hot-water showers in First AC and accessibility features for passengers with disabilities. The sleeper platform also incorporates Kavach safety systems and regenerative braking, with a maximum service speed of 160 kmph.