Indian Railways is set to roll out its first-ever Vande Bharat Sleeper train in September, marking a significant step in the country's efforts to modernise long-distance rail travel. The announcement was made by Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, who described the initiative as part of a broader transformation that includes the Namo Bharat and Amrit Bharat train series.

The new Vande Bharat Sleeper is being manufactured by Bharat Earth Movers Limited (BEML) in collaboration with Integral Coach Factory (ICF) in Chennai. According to officials cited by The Hindu and Times of India, the 16-coach train will feature AC First Class, AC 2-Tier, and AC 3-Tier sleeping accommodations, with a total capacity of 1,128 passengers. Designed for a top speed of 180 km/h, it will offer upgraded facilities such as integrated reading lights with USB ports, modular pantries, advanced passenger information systems, CCTV surveillance, and specially designed berths and toilets for persons with disabilities. AC First Class coaches will even include hot water showers.

To support this new fleet, Indian Railways is constructing a dedicated maintenance and inspection hub near Bengaluru, which the Railway Board has approved. The facility, under development by South Western Railway's Bengaluru Division, is scheduled for completion by early 2026. BEML and ICF are currently assembling the first batch of ten sleeper coaches at their Bengaluru plants.

The upcoming sleeper trains complement a series of strategic infrastructure upgrades. Indian Railways has announced the development of two new passenger terminals in the Bengaluru region, one near Devanahalli and another in Nelamangala, to ease congestion and improve access to the railway network.

These developments follow ongoing work on India's first bullet train project, connecting Mumbai and Ahmedabad with travel times reduced to as little as two hours. That initiative is being implemented with support from Japan through a Shinkansen-based model.

Together, these projects underscore a significant transformation in India's rail sector, focusing on speed, comfort, and operational efficiency. The Vande Bharat Sleeper initiative is expected to enhance the quality of overnight travel and contribute to broader economic growth through improved connectivity.