Overview
- Design work for a new 24‑coach Vande Bharat sleeper is being finalised and the Integral Coach Factory in Chennai has been tasked to build 50 trainsets with a tentative rollout target of June 2027.
- Railways has allocated production across multiple makers to create more than 200 sleeper sets in total, with Kinet assigned 120, a Titagarh‑BHEL consortium 80, and BEML supported by ICF producing 10.
- The longer 24‑coach layout adds a dedicated pantry car, increases the number of toilets and includes interior changes to allow heated food service and improved berth access and comfort.
- The design retains semi‑high‑speed performance with a 160 km/h service design and tests to 180 km/h and includes KAVACH anti‑collision, regenerative braking, CCTV, automatic doors, sealed gangways and a centralised coach monitoring system.
- Entry into passenger service will depend on factory production, testing and regulatory and operational clearances, and the move is meant to boost overnight capacity while scaling domestic rail manufacturing.