Vande Bharat Sleeper trains to hit tracks soon! Ashwini Vaishnaw says it prioritise both ‘aesthetic appeal and functionality’
The Railways Minister highlighted the meticulous attention given to aesthetics and functionality in Vande Bharat sleeper train's interior and exterior design. (Twitter)
Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Saturday (June 15) announced that India’s eagerly awaited Vande Bharat sleeper trains will commence operations within the next two months, showcasing a blend of cutting-edge technology and passenger-centric design. The Railways Minister highlighted the meticulous attention given to aesthetics and functionality in Vande Bharat sleeper train’s interior and exterior design. He also revealed that Indian Railways aims to deploy approximately 250 units of Vande Bharat sleeper trains by 2029.
“The Vande Bharat Sleeper Trains designed by BEML prioritise both aesthetic appeal and functionality in their interiors, sleeper berths, and exteriors. From the front nose cone to interior panels, seats and berths, interior lights, couplers, gangways and beyond, every element is meticulously designed to meet the exacting standards of the sleeper trainset,” he said.
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“The completion work of the trainset of the Vande Bharat sleeper train is in full swing and the first train will be on track within two months. All technical works are in the last phase. The trainset is manufactured by BEML Ltd at its rail unit in Bangalore. The much-awaited Vande Bharat Sleeper version will provide easy mobility to commuters and offer various comforts in the near future with global standards,” Vaishnaw added.
Vande Bharat Sleeper trains – An engineering excellence
Vaishnaw also elaborated on the materials and safety features integrated into the design of the Vande Bharat Sleeper trains. The car body structure is crafted with high-grade Austenitic stainless steel, featuring crashworthy elements integrated into the crash buffers and couplers, he explained.
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“All materials and aggregates adhere to stringent safety standards, meeting the Fire standard requirements as per EN45545 HL3 grade,” the railway minister said.
Features of Vande Bharat Sleeper trains
The country’s first indigenous semi-high-speed Vande Bharat Express trains have already changed the way Indians travel by rail. Following this success, Indian Railways is now poised to launch the Vande Bharat sleeper trains.
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Speed: These trains will be designed to operate at speeds up to 200 km/h, offering a premium alternative to the current Rajdhani Express for long-distance travel. It will also have minimum deceleration during full service. The braking of this trainset is 0.8 m/s2 and the maximum deceleration at any speed is 1 m/s2.
Train amenities: These sleeper trains will feature best-in-class amenities, including GFRP panels, automatic plug sliding passenger doors, specially designed toilets for differently-abled passengers, and enhanced soundproofing for a quieter journey.
Coach composition: The trains will consist of 1 AC First Class, 4 AC Two-Tier, and 11 AC Three-Tier compartments, totaling 16 bogies with a passenger capacity of 823 berths across various classes. The trainsets are Broad Gauged (1676 mm) with a passenger Capacity of 823 berths in various classes.
Advanced features: Enhanced features like improved smoother acceleration and deceleration, ergonomic toilets, an aerodynamic exterior, modular pantry, and advanced public announcement and visual information systems are expected.