Bengaluru: Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Sunday introduced the prototype of the much-anticipated Vande Bharat sleeper coach at Bharat Earth Movers Limited (BEML)’s facility in Bengaluru. This marks a significant milestone in the development of India’s next-generation trains, as the country moves forward in enhancing its railway infrastructure.
The prototype coach is set to undergo rigorous testing and trials within the next 10 days before it is approved for further on-track evaluations. Speaking to reporters, Vaishnaw confirmed, “The trials will commence soon, and the train is expected to be operational for passengers within the next three months.”
In addition to unveiling the prototype, the Railway Minister laid the foundation stone for a new Vande Bharat manufacturing facility at the BEML premises. This facility will be crucial in scaling up the production of Vande Bharat trains, as the government pushes for more advanced, high-speed trains to revolutionise rail travel in India.
The Vande Bharat sleeper coaches represent an evolution in the design and comfort of long-distance train journeys. With modern amenities and state-of-the-art technology, these coaches aim to provide passengers with a superior travel experience. Once in operation, these sleeper trains are expected to run on key long-distance routes, further expanding the Vande Bharat network.
India’s Vande Bharat trains, also known as Train 18, have been hailed for their speed, efficiency, and passenger comfort, and the new sleeper variant is expected to continue that legacy. The introduction of these sleeper coaches is in line with the Indian government’s broader agenda of modernising the country’s railways and improving the overall passenger experience.