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Vande Bharat Sleeper Clears 180 km/h CRS Trial With Stable ‘Water Test’

Indian Railways begins certification with route selection toward an early 2026 debut of the overnight, all‑AC variant.

Overview

  • Under CRS supervision, the prototype hit 180 km/h on the Kota–Nagda section, covering roughly 225 km during the high‑speed run.
  • Glasses of water placed in the coach did not spill during the trial, a demonstration officials used to illustrate ride stability.
  • Initial services are being targeted for late January to early February 2026 pending approvals, with routes being finalized and the PatnaNew Delhi corridor reported as a likely early candidate.
  • Two BEML-built rakes are on test with 16 coaches each—11 AC three‑tier, four AC two‑tier, and one AC first class—featuring KAVACH, bio‑vacuum toilets, and first‑class showers.
  • The trains are designed for 180 km/h but expected to operate up to 160 km/h subject to infrastructure, as manufacturing scales through BEML–ICF, Kinet, and Titagarh Rail Systems–BHEL toward a fleet exceeding 200 sets.