Kannur: India’s first Vande Bharat Sleeper train is set to be introduced under the Northern Railway, with Kerala selected to receive one of the nine Vande Sleeper trains being launched later this year. The state will be given first preference for the 16-coach train allocated to the Southern Railway zone.

The Thiruvananthapuram–Mangaluru (Mangalore) route has been identified as a priority for this new sleeper service. Other potential routes under consideration include Thiruvananthapuram–Bengaluru and Kanyakumari–Srinagar (Konkan route), aiming to strengthen inter-zone connectivity.

Designed by ICF, manufactured by BEML

The Vande Sleeper train has been designed by the Integral Coach Factory (ICF) in Chennai and is being manufactured by Bharat Earth Movers Limited (BEML). The air-conditioned sleeper train can accommodate up to 1,128 passengers, offering both comfort and capacity.

Conversion and production timeline

Currently, the Vande Bharat chair car project—comprising 8, 16, and 20-coach configurations—is underway at the ICF. 16-coach chair cars are being converted into sleeper coaches by taking 10 rakes. Additionally, ICF has received an order to produce 50 more Vande Bharat Sleeper trains, in addition to the 10 already in production. These are expected to be rolled out during 2026–27.

Modern features for enhanced passenger experience

The Vande Bharat Sleeper trains will feature comfortable sleeping berths to ensure a relaxed journey for passengers. They will showcase a contemporary and state-of-the-art interior design. A special lighting system will be provided for reading purposes.

Each coach will include a GPS-based LED display system. Facilities such as berths and toilets are designed to cater to people with special needs. A modular pantry will be available for efficient onboard catering services.

The coaches will also be equipped with automatic doors for added convenience. Furthermore, the trains will include a comprehensive security and protection system (Kavach) to enhance passenger safety.