All you need to know about Vande Bharat sleeper train as Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw unveils prototype

“This is a historic moment for the country. The much-awaited Vande Bharat Sleeper train set is now set to run on Indian Railways tracks, providing our people with a world-class travel experience and best-in-class amenities. The dedication and expertise of BEML’s leadership and engineers have made this remarkable achievement possible,” he said.

Speaking about the ticket pricing, Vaishnaw said it will be on par with Rajdhani fares. The first Vande Bharat sleeper train is expected to be operational by the end of the year.

Vande Bharat sleeper train is meant for long-distance overnight journeys, covering 800 to 1,200 km. The train will have 16 coaches – 11 AC three-tier, four AC two-tier, and one AC first-class – with 823 berths in total.

The first Vande Bharat sleeper train is expected to be operational by the end of the year. (Express Photo)

According to the railways, the Vande Bharat sleeper train offers a passenger experience on par with European standards. The maximum operational speed will be 160 km/hr. It will have a hot water shower for 1st AC car, a public announcement and visual information system, ergonomically designed odour-free toilets, automatic exterior passenger doors, special berths and toilets for differently-abled people, and integrated reading lights with USB charging provision, among other provisions.

To maximise passenger safety, the train set features authentic stainless-steel construction and is equipped with advanced crash-proof elements, such as specially designed crash buffers and couplers. All materials and components used in the train set adhere to the highest fire safety standards, meeting the stringent EN45545 HL3 grade requirements, as per the railways.

Vaishnaw on Sunday also inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for a hangar facility spanning 9.2 acres near BEML’s Bengaluru facility. It is dedicated to the export of standard and broad-gauge rolling stock, further expanding the BEML’s global reach.