Vikrant Shekhawat : Aug 24, 2024, 11:40 AM
Vande Bharat: Indian Railways' first Vande Bharat sleeper train is expected to be operational by the end of the year. It will be the third version of the series after the chair-car Vande Bharat train launched in 2019. The first service of the Vande Bharat sleeper train may start in Gujarat, although its official announcement is yet to be made.The trial process of the train will start from BEML's plant in Bengaluru by September 20 and will last for a month or two. Its testing is likely to be done in the North Western Railway zone. Several improvements have been made in this sleeper train, such as special technologies to reduce noise and improve safety.Passengers in Vande Bharat Sleeper will get a world-class travel experience similar to the European Nightjet sleeper trains, including features like LED strips and ergonomic toilet systems. The maximum speed of the train will be 160-180 kmph, and it is expected to be operational by December 2024.The train will be trialled for two monthsGeneral Manager of Integral Coach Factory (ICF) Chennai U Subba Rao told a media organisation that the first sleeper train of Vande Bharat is expected to depart from Bharat Earth Movers Limited (BEML) plant in Bengaluru by September 20. After this, its trial run will be done. Its trial will last for one or two months. He said that the trial of the high-speed train is likely to be done on the North Western Railway zone.This will be special in Vande Bharat SleeperA source said that based on the feedback received from the chair car Vande Bharat train, improvements are being made to reduce noise and strengthen the front nose cone to better withstand cattle collision. The train will also be equipped with armor collision avoidance system. Other features include stainless steel car body, crash-worthy passenger protection, GFRP interior panels, aerodynamic design, modular pantry, fire safety compliance (EN 45545), facilities for disabled passengers, automatic doors, sensor-based intercommunication, fire barrier doors. There will also be an ergonomic toilet system, integrated reading lights with USB charging.In Vande Bharat Sleeper, Indian Railways plans to provide its passengers a world-class travel experience on overnight journeys similar to Nightjet sleeper trains in Europe. There will be LED strips on the floor under the staircase for passengers going to the toilet when the lights are off at night. There will also be a separate berth for the train attendant.Train expected to run by December 2024Let us tell you that in May 2023, an order was given to BEML Limited for the design and manufacture of 10 rakes of 16-car Vande Bharat Sleeper train sets. Its maximum operating speed will be 160-180 kmph. After the trial run, it can be commissioned by December 2024.