Bengaluru: Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw launched the prototype of the Vande Bharat Sleeper Trains that aim to provide comfort to passengers traveling overnight for long distances. According to the minister, the new trains will be ideal for passengers traveling for distances of 800-1200 km. Travelers will be able to start their journey at 9 or 10 pm and reach their destination in the morning.
Vaisnaw, while explaining the special features of the train, said that the train incorporates scientific temperature/humidity control measures and newly designed toilets. It will also contain a pantry in each coach and air-conditioned loco pilots’ cabins. The contract for designing, manufacturing, and supplying the Vande Bharat Sleeper Trains has been awarded to BEML Limited by Integral Coach Factory (ICF), Chennai. Designed for a maximum operational speed of 160 kmph, the train has 16 coaches- 11 three-tier AC, 4 two-tier, and 1 one-tier AC coaches, with a total of 823 berths. He also informed that the prototype will be ready to dispatch in the next 10-12 days and the trains will be deployed in the next three months after receiving statutory clearances from the Research Designs and Standards Organizations (RDSO) as well as the Commissioner of Railway Safety (CRS).
When asked about the Vande Metro Trains which will cater to cities placed 100-200km apart, the minister said that one of the two ready trains will be launched in the next month. The full-scale production of metro trains will begin sometime in 2026.
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