New Delhi: Indian Railways has initiated manufacturing plans for a longer 24-coach variant of the Vande Bharat sleeper trainset, expanding beyond the current 16-coach prototypes to serve high-demand overnight corridors across the country.

Sources confirmed that the Integral Coach Factory (ICF) in Chennai is finalising the technical layouts for the extended trainsets within the next month, setting a target launch window for the first half of 2027, with full operational readiness targeted by June 2027.

 

Manufacturing allocation and fleet expansion

The national transporter plans to introduce over 200 Vande Bharat sleeper trains in phases to overhaul long-distance passenger transit. Key manufacturing responsibilities have been divided across major industrial hubs.

ICF Chennai: Tasked with building 50 units of the newly planned 24-coach variant featuring in-house interior improvements and onboard service facilities.

Kinet Consortium (Indo-Russian JV): Assigned the production of 120 trainsets.

Titagarh-BHEL Consortium: Contracted to manufacture 80 sleeper trainsets.

BEML (with ICF support): Producing the initial batch of 10 sleeper trainsets.

 

Enhanced features of the 24-coach variant

Unlike existing 16-coach configurations, the 24-coach ICF variant will incorporate dedicated pantry cars, a feature previously absent, to support onboard meal heating and service during extended long-distance journeys. The design modification also incorporates a higher ratio of bio-vacuum lavatories per car and upgraded interior aesthetics using Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer (GFRP) paneling.

Current 16-coach operational configurations consist of 11 AC 3-tier coaches, four AC 2-tier coaches, and one AC First Class coach.

 

Technical and passenger amenities

The sleeper variants retain core semi-high-speed capabilities, featuring a maximum design speed of 160 kmph and a testing threshold of 180 kmph, contingent on track infrastructure upgrades.

 

Standard amenities integrated across all tiers 

Safety and propulsion: Indigenous KAVACH anti-collision protection systems, regenerative braking, fully sealed gangways and automatic interconnecting doors.

Passenger comfort: European-inspired cushioned berths, redesigned upper-berth access ladders, individual reading lamps, charging sockets and modular refreshment tables.

Accessibility and upgrades: Aircraft-style bio-vacuum toilets, accessible lavatories with baby-care facilities in designated sections, and hot-water shower facilities in AC First Class coaches.

Monitoring systems: Integrated public announcement systems with visual displays, continuous CCTV surveillance, Centralised Coach Monitoring and driver-passenger emergency communication units.