You can now travel more comfortably aboard Vande Bharat Express as the centre is set to launch sleeper variants of the train. These are expected to hit the tracks by March 2024.
These special trains are being designed by the Integral Coach Factory (ICF) in Chennai. They will be ready by 2023 end, he added. The report also states that at the moment, 22 such trains are being made.
All we know about the Vande Bharat sleeper trains
Ashwini Vaishnaw, Minister for Railways, Communications, Electronics and Information Technology, revealed the details on these trains in a recent chat with Economic Times. He said that three versions have been planned. These are Vande Chair Car, Vande Metro and Vande Sleepers. Of this, the Metros will be for distances less than 100 kilometres, while Chair Cars are for distances between 100 and 550 kilometres. Vande Bharat Sleepers, which are to be inaugurated by March next year, are meant for distances longer than 550 kilometres.
The sleeper trains are an upgrade to the current Vande Bharat coaches as they will let passengers relax more throughout the journey. Additionally, these trains will have a maximum speed of 220 kmph, though they will run at 200 kmph.
Vande Bharat Sleeper trains will have 16 AC coaches. These include one first-class, four second class and 11 three-tier coaches. They will have a capacity of 830 passengers. Meant for overnight journeys, these trains are expected to be a replacement for the current Rajdhani Express trains.
What are Vande Bharat trains?
The semi-high-speed trains were first introduced in 2019. Today, 18 such carriers run on the country’s railway network, with five more to launch on June 27. The trains’ body is made of aluminium, making them lighter and hence, faster. Additionally, these trains come with LED screens, onboard catering, comfortable seating, automatic doors, bio-toilets and other amenities that elevate the journey.
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Related: Vande Bharat Trains Launched In 2023: Routes, Timings And Other Details
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Anushka Goel
Anushka has previously worked with publications such as the Times of India and Being Indian. A graduate from Xavier Institute of Communications, she specialises in entertainment, food and travel. She also likes to write about sustainability and beauty. When not working, you can catch her reading a book, tending to her plants, cooking or playing an instrument.
