India is likely to get its first Vande Bharat sleeper train this year. According to several media reports, in a significant development, the trial runs of the Vande Bharat sleeper train are expected to start from August 15, 2024. The train will likely run from Delhi to Mumbai, as the route is busy and the demand for reservations remains high.
India is set to welcome its first Vande Bharat sleeper train this year. As per multiple media reports, trial runs are scheduled to commence on August 15, 2024. The train is expected to run between Delhi and Mumbai, a bustling route with consistently high reservation demand.
Indian Tech & Infra took to its official X (formally Twitter) handle to announce the news. The account tweeted, ‘India’s first Vande Bharat sleeper train is expected to start operations before August 15. The train will initially operate between Delhi and Mumbai via Gujarat.’
Further, the reports suggest that the manufacturing of the sleeper train is in its final stages in Bengaluru. The train will likely have 16 coaches; among them, 10 will be reserved for the third AC, 4 will be reserved for the second AC, and one coach will be reserved for the first AC. The train will also have two Seating cum Luggage Rake (SLR) coaches.
The train is expected to run at a speed of 130 km/h in the first phase. Later on, the speed of the train will gradually be increased from 160 km/h to 220 km/h.
According to reports, Union Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw recently said that the completion work of the trainset for the Vande Bharat sleeper train is in full swing and the first train will be on track within two months. He added that the trainset is being manufactured by BEML Ltd at its rail unit in Bangalore.