Ashwini Vaishnaw Unveils Vande Bharat Sleeper Trains’ Body Structure, Highlights Features and Cost Advantages

Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw recently, revealed the body structure of the upcoming Vande Bharat sleeper coaches. The event took place at Bharat Earth Movers Limited (BEML) in Bengaluru, a company operating under the Ministry of Defence, known for its expertise in manufacturing products for various sectors, including defense, aerospace, mining, construction, rail, and metro systems.

The Vande Bharat trains, which already have chair car versions in operation, will soon introduce sleeper coaches, and BEML has received orders to produce 10 trainsets, each comprising 160 coaches, for this project. Minister Vaishnaw emphasized the significance of the carbody manufacturing process, stating that it is the most challenging aspect, and discussions are ongoing to explore ways to scale up production further.

He provided insights into the features of the sleeper train, ensuring that passengers’ comfort has been a top priority. Improvements include enhanced foot area for ladder access, updated toilet designs, advanced technology for seat cushions, controlled air-conditioning systems, and measures to maintain oxygen levels while eliminating 99.99% of viruses. The sleeper train is built on the same technology as the chair car, offering benefits like a jerk-free, noiseless experience, quick acceleration, and deceleration.

Minister Vaishnaw revealed that the Indian Railways will conduct thorough training and testing of the first trainset for five to six months before its official launch. He also highlighted the superior safety features of the Vande Bharat Sleeper in comparison to conventional mail/express trains.

Key Features 

-Toilets have new designs

-Air conditioning on the sleeper coaches have better control

-The seat cushion is better with new technology

-Oxygen level inside the coaches will be maintained

-99.99 per cent virus will be eliminated,

In terms of cost, Vaishnaw compared the production cost of a Vande Bharat Sleeper Coach to similar coaches in developed countries. While the manufacturing cost of a single coach with similar amenities in developed nations is around ₹10 crore, the Vande Bharat Sleeper Coach costs approximately ₹8-9 crore. The reduced cost is attributed to in-house work using Indian manpower and technology.

BEML Chairman and Managing Director, Shantanu Roy, expressed delight in being part of this milestone project, emphasizing the company’s commitment to quality and precision. The BEML facility in Bengaluru is operating at full capacity to meet the demands of this significant rail project.