Eight Vande Bharat Sleeper Trains To Launch In Six Months, 12 By Year-End: Ashwini Vaishnaw
Eight Vande Bharat Sleeper Trains To Launch In Six Months, 12 By Year-End: Ashwini Vaishnaw
India’s first Vande Bharat Sleeper service between Guwahati and Kolkata to begin this month; PM Narendra Modi to flag off inaugural run.
Indian Railways is set to significantly expand its premium overnight rail network, with eight Vande Bharat Sleeper trains scheduled to be introduced over the next six months and a total of 12 such trains planned by the end of the year, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced on Saturday.
The announcement came as the country’s first Vande Bharat Sleeper train arrived at New Delhi Railway Station ahead of its commercial launch. The new-generation sleeper service is expected to begin operations between Guwahati and Kolkata later this month, marking the first Vande Bharat Sleeper route connecting two states. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will flag off the inaugural service.
Inspecting the train and reviewing onboard amenities, Vaishnaw said the sleeper version represents the next phase in the evolution of Vande Bharat trains, following the strong response to the chair car variants across the country. He added that the new service would be operational within the next 15 to 20 days.
The Vande Bharat Sleeper train is a fully air-conditioned, 16-coach rake designed for long-distance overnight travel. It has a total passenger capacity of 823, with 11 Third AC coaches accommodating 611 passengers, four Second AC coaches with 188 berths, and one First AC coach with 24 berths.
देश की पहली वंदे भारत स्लीपर ट्रेन का आज नई दिल्ली रेलवे स्टेशन पर माननीय रेल मंत्री श्री @AshwiniVaishnaw ने निरीक्षण किया। @RailMinIndia pic.twitter.com/az2Dqvm557
— Northern Railway (@RailwayNorthern) January 3, 2026
Built to run at speeds of up to 180 kmph, the train recently cleared its final high-speed trials under the supervision of railway safety authorities. According to the minister, its acceleration performance is superior to that of conventional long-distance trains.
Special emphasis has been placed on passenger safety and comfort. The train is equipped with an automatic train protection system, advanced fire detection and suppression mechanisms, AI-based CCTV surveillance, and sensor-enabled automatic doors. Hygiene has also been prioritised, with interiors using disinfectant technology claimed to eliminate 99.9 percent of germs.
Vaishnaw highlighted that the cost efficiency of the Vande Bharat Sleeper is another key advantage. Each coach costs approximately ₹8 to ₹8.5 crore to manufacture, which is lower than the ₹10 to ₹12 crore cost of a typical metro rail coach. He added that India is increasingly becoming a global supplier of railway equipment, with exports already touching ₹7,000 crore and a target of ₹50,000 crore set for 2030.
On fares, the Railway Minister said ticket prices for the Guwahati–Kolkata route have been fixed at around ₹2,300 for Third AC with meals, ₹3,000 for Second AC, and ₹3,600 for First AC. He pointed out that airfares on the same sector typically range between ₹6,000 and ₹8,000, positioning the Vande Bharat Sleeper as a faster yet more affordable alternative for overnight travel.
With multiple new routes planned and induction of additional rakes underway, the expansion of the Vande Bharat Sleeper fleet is expected to reshape long-distance rail travel in India, offering a blend of speed, safety, comfort, and cost efficiency.
