In a significant move to enhance passenger comfort and travel efficiency, Indian Railways has announced a strategic shift in focus from chair car seating to sleeper variants in its flagship Vande Bharat Express trains. This transition aims to cater to long-distance travelers across India, expanding the semi-high-speed service’s reach and utility beyond short and medium routes.
Vande Bharat trains, known for their speed, modern amenities, and punctuality, have revolutionized rail travel in India since their debut in 2019. However, all existing models of the train operate exclusively with seating arrangements, primarily AC Chair Cars and Executive Class. With growing demand for overnight travel options and increased intercity connectivity, the Ministry of Railways has confirmed that upcoming rakes of Vande Bharat will include sleeper coaches.
The decision is driven by both operational insights and public feedback. Routes exceeding 800 km, such as Mumbai to Delhi or Howrah to Chennai, are not well-suited to seating-only models. The introduction of sleeper versions is expected to fill this gap, providing an efficient alternative to Rajdhani Express services and offering enhanced travel experiences with modern amenities.
Railway officials have stated that the sleeper Vande Bharat trains will be designed with state-of-the-art features including noise-insulated cabins, bio-vacuum toilets, automatic doors, Wi-Fi connectivity, and GPS-based passenger information systems. The first prototype of the Vande Bharat sleeper coach is expected to be rolled out by early 2026.
Additionally, these sleeper variants will maintain the semi-high-speed capability of existing trains, running at speeds of up to 160 km/h. This would make them one of the fastest overnight trains in the country, dramatically cutting travel times between major cities.
From a manufacturing standpoint, Integral Coach Factory (ICF) in Chennai and other rail production units have been tasked with accelerating development. The government also plans to gradually replace some aging Rajdhani Express trains with Vande Bharat sleeper rakes to modernize India’s long-distance rail infrastructure.
