Indian Railways’ long-promised Vande Bharat Sleeper — a semi-high-speed electric multiple unit (EMU) designed for comfortable overnight travel with AC sleeping berths — has generated strong public interest. Officials have unveiled prototypes and detailed features, but the national rollout has been delayed after the Railway Board flagged workmanship and furnishing issues in the first rake. Here’s a clear, sourced explainer of what the sleeper Vande Bharat is, what went wrong, and why it still matters for India’s long-distance travel future.
What is the Vande Bharat Sleeper?
The Vande Bharat Sleeper is a long-distance variant of the Vande Bharat (Train-18) family designed as a 16-coach EMU (prototype rendering) with a mix of AC First Class, AC Two-Tier and AC Three-Tier sleeping berths. It is engineered to hit up to ~160–180 km/h on appropriate routes, with modern features such as regenerative braking, automatic doors, improved soundproofing, sensor lighting, and on-board pantry facilities — but configured for overnight comfort rather than day seating. Early public renders and official briefings set expectations for a faster, more comfortable overnight alternative to Rajdhanis and other long-distance trains.
Timeline so far — prototype, trials and an expected 2025 launch
Indian Railways and manufacturing partners (BEML/ICF and other consortiums named in public tenders) displayed the first prototype in 2024 and planned trial runs and certification through 2024–25. Several media reports in 2025 had indicated a planned commercial launch in mid-to-late 2025 with candidate corridors linking major overnight routes (for example New Delhi–Ahmedabad, Delhi–Bhopal and others). The project is part of a larger modernization push in which the railways are investing heavily in rolling stock and safety upgrades.
What passengers were promised (key features)
- Sleeper berths across classes (AC-1, AC-2, AC-3) with ergonomically designed bunks and better cushioning; each coach expected to have dedicated restrooms and improved luggage space.
- EMU advantages: distributed traction for faster acceleration/deceleration, driver cabins at both ends for quick turnarounds, and higher average speeds on electrified corridors.
- Modern passenger amenities: sensor-based lighting, USB charging, improved pantry and onboard services, Kavach train-protection compatibility and emphasis on quieter, smoother rides.
Why the rollout has been paused: quality and furnishing issues
Multiple national outlets and the Railway Board reported that the first delivered rake showed workmanship and furnishing deficiencies — items such as misaligned fittings, substandard finish on some interiors and concerns about quality control that could affect passenger comfort and durability. The Railways has asked manufacturers to rectify the defects before commercial services begin and ordered design/fitment improvements for subsequent rakes. Officials emphasised safety was not compromised, but that finish and passenger-experience standards must be met prior to launch. Independent updates say the rollout will be delayed until those corrective actions are completed and certified.
What this delay means for passengers and Indian Railways
- Short-term: commuters and overnight travellers will continue to rely on existing Rajdhani/Tejas/other overnight services until the Vande Bharat Sleeper is certified and scheduled. The delay may push the first commercial runs into the near future (exact dates now depend on remedial work and inspections).
- Medium-term benefits (if delivered as promised): faster travel times, modern onboard experience, and a potential step-change in overnight connectivity that could shift some demand from short-haul flights and conventional trains to high-performance rail. It would also be a win for the government’s “Make in India” manufacturing and rail modernization objectives.
- Procurement and manufacturing oversight: the episode underscores the need for stricter factory acceptance tests (FAT), clearer quality benchmarks and stronger vendor oversight as Indian Railways scales indigenous EMU production. Manufacturers and the Railways will likely tighten QA before the wider production run of dozens or hundreds of rake.
Safety and certification: what still needs to happen
Before commercial operations, the Vande Bharat Sleeper must clear a sequence of trials, speed certification, and safety audits (including braking, coupling performance, electrical systems and fire-safety compliance). Rail safety systems such as Kavach are part of the design intent; certification teams will review both hardware fixes and manufacturing processes. The Railways has said that no passenger service will begin until those approvals are complete.
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Last Updated on: Tuesday, November 4, 2025 3:36 pm by Sakethyadav | Published by: Sakethyadav on Tuesday, November 4, 2025 3:36 pm | News Categories: News