Vande Bharat Sleeper to hit tracks in two months; Bengaluru-Mangaluru launch moves closer
The Vande Bharat Sleeper train is expected to enter its trial phase within the next two months, marking a significant step in Indian Railways' efforts to expand premium long-distance rail travel across the country.
Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said the sleeper version of the popular Vande Bharat train is being introduced in response to growing public demand. At present, Vande Bharat Express services operate only with chair car configurations.
Sleeper version set for trial runs
Speaking in New Delhi, Vaishnaw said Indian Railways plans to begin trial operations of the Vande Bharat Sleeper Class train in the coming months.
The Vande Bharat train is India's first indigenously developed semi-high-speed train and has become one of the flagship projects of the Railways' modernisation programme.
The minister also highlighted the government's continued focus on rail infrastructure development and passenger comfort over the next five years.
Railways push infrastructure expansion
Vaishnaw said nearly 35,000 kilometres of railway tracks have been constructed across the country during the last decade.
He added that efforts are also underway to improve travel facilities for low-income passengers while increasing the production of Amrit Bharat trains.
According to the minister, Indian Railways operated around 20,000 special trains during the summer season, helping nearly four crore passengers travel during the holiday rush.
Bengaluru-Mangaluru Vande Bharat nears launch
Meanwhile, the proposed Bengaluru-Mangaluru Vande Bharat service has crossed a major milestone with final technical trials scheduled on the electrified Sakleshpur-Subrahmanya Road ghat section of the Hassan-Mangaluru railway line.
The Research Designs and Standards Organisation (RDSO), the testing arm of the Railway Ministry, will begin advanced trials from June 1.
Following successful completion of the tests and submission of a safety report, the Railway Ministry is expected to take a final decision on launching the service.
One of India's toughest railway routes
The 55-kilometre Sakleshpur-Subrahmanya Road stretch is considered one of the most challenging railway sections in the country.
The route features 57 tunnels, 258 bridges and 108 sharp curves while traversing steep gradients through the Western Ghats.
Railway officials will conduct tests using passenger and freight rakes under varying load conditions to evaluate the safety and performance of the electrified corridor.
A recent trial using an empty passenger rake hauled by an electric locomotive was completed successfully, boosting hopes that the long-awaited Bengaluru-Mangaluru Vande Bharat service could begin operations soon.