Kerala to Flag Off India's First Vande Bharat Sleeper Train

For the very first time, India is preparing to roll out its Vande Bharat Sleeper train, with the inaugural service connecting Thiruvananthapuram to Mangaluru. This marks a landmark shift in the modernization of India’s long-haul rail travel and the improvement of inter-regional connectivity.

Introduced by Northern Railway, this advanced train service is part of a wider strategy to expand the country’s railway network, prioritizing speed, comfort, and modern facilities. Besides the Kerala–Mangaluru corridor, other routes in the pipeline include Thiruvananthapuram–Bengaluru and Kanyakumari–Srinagar, aiming to simplify cross-country movement and boost pan-India accessibility.

This initiative responds to rising demand for faster and more comfortable travel options, especially for overnight journeys. The project is a joint effort between Integral Coach Factory (ICF) in Chennai, responsible for the design, and Bharat Earth Movers Limited (BEML), which is handling production.

The train will consist of 16 air-conditioned sleeper coaches, each designed to accommodate up to 1,128 passengers. These coaches will feature ergonomic sleeping berths, reading-friendly lighting, and GPS-enabled LED screens providing live updates.

Accessibility is also a focus, with provisions like special toilets and berths for differently-abled passengers. Additional features include automated doors, a modular kitchen, and the Kavach safety system for enhanced security.

While existing Vande Bharat trains are currently chair-car based, sleeper versions are under active development. ICF is working on 50 new sleeper trains, with ten rakes already in the making—scheduled to be fully operational by 2026–27.

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