Overview

• Multiple outlets report Indian Railways is likely to announce the first Vande Bharat Sleeper in the coming weeks, targeting a launch ahead of the Diwali and Chhath travel rush.
• The inaugural run is expected to operate overnight between Patna and Delhi via Prayagraj with an indicative 8:00 pm departure and around 7:30 am arrival, though final timings and stops are yet to be published.
• Designed for long routes of roughly 1,000 km, the train is built for a top speed of 180 km/h with a planned service speed near 160 km/h to deliver significant time savings versus existing options.
• Manufactured by BEML using ICF technology, the sleeper features CCTV surveillance, LED information displays, automatic doors, modern fire-safety systems and other comfort upgrades, with reports also mentioning the KAVACH anti-collision system.
• Official figures cited by the railways minister note 144 chair-car Vande Bharat trains in service and 10 sleeper sets under production, with ICF taking up 50 more rakes, while media reports indicate fares about 10–15% higher than the Rajdhani on the corridor.