Vande Bharat Sleeper Trains Set to Revolutionize Travel by October 2025
Vande Bharat Sleeper trains launch by October 2025, offering faster, comfy overnight travel.
Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced that the highly anticipated Vande Bharat Sleeper trains will commence operations once the second train is ready by mid-October, marking a significant milestone in India’s railway modernization. Speaking to the media, Vaishnaw revealed that the first sleeper train has completed rigorous trials and testing at the Shakur Basti Coaching Depot in Delhi and is poised for launch. The second train, currently under production at the Integral Coach Factory (ICF) in Chennai, is expected to be operational by October 15, 2025, enabling the simultaneous launch of both trains to ensure service continuity.
“Both trains will be launched together to maintain regular service schedules,” Vaishnaw emphasized, highlighting the importance of having two rakes to avoid disruptions. While the exact route remains undecided, speculation suggests the New Delhi-Patna corridor as a likely candidate, aligning with Bihar’s upcoming assembly elections by year-end. Each Vande Bharat Sleeper train, designed for overnight travel, features 16 coaches with 854 berths across AC First Class (24 berths), AC 2-Tier (52 berths), AC 3-Tier (720 berths), and Sleeper Class (58 berths). These trains, capable of speeds up to 160 km/h, incorporate advanced safety features like KAVACH (an indigenous collision avoidance system), fire-resistant materials, and modular interiors with ergonomic berths, USB charging points, and bio-vacuum toilets. The sleeper variant promises a 20% reduction in travel time compared to conventional trains, offering a blend of comfort, speed, and affordability for long-distance travelers.
In the same briefing, Vaishnaw, alongside Minister of State for Railways Ravneet Singh Bittu, outlined transformative railway projects in Punjab to enhance connectivity and economic growth. A key initiative is the 18-km Rajpura-Mohali rail line, which will provide the shortest route from Rajpura to Chandigarh on the Ambala-Amritsar main line. This ₹450-crore project, expected to be completed by 2026, will reduce travel distance by approximately 66 km, decongest the Rajpura-Ambala route, and shorten the Ambala-Morinda link, benefiting commuters and freight transport.
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Vaishnaw also proposed a new Vande Bharat Express train between New Delhi and Firozpur Cantonment, covering 486 km in 6 hours and 40 minutes at an average speed of 73 km/h. The route will include stops at Faridkot, Bhatinda, Dhuri, Patiala, Ambala Cantonment, Kurukshetra, and Panipat, enhancing connectivity to Punjab’s agricultural and industrial hubs. “I will request the Prime Minister to approve this train,” Vaishnaw said, signaling its priority for regional development.
The ministers highlighted nine completed railway projects in Punjab since 2014, collectively worth over ₹4,000 crore. These include the 61-km Nangal Dam-Daulat Pur Chowk line (₹672 crore), the 211-km Jalandhar-Jammu Tawi line doubling (₹850 crore), and the 173-km Rajpura-Bathinda line doubling (₹2,459 crore), alongside shorter segments like the 3-km Chakki Bank-Bharoli (₹15 crore) and 7-km Amritsar-Chheharta (₹31 crore). These projects have boosted capacity, reduced travel times, and improved freight efficiency.
Seven ongoing projects, valued at over ₹10,000 crore, were also detailed, including the 123-km Nangal Dam-Talwara line (₹2,018 crore), the 63-km Bhanupalli-Bilaspur-Beri line (₹6,753 crore), and the 26-km Ferozpur-Patti line (₹300 crore). Doubling projects like the 80-km Mansa-Bhatinda line (₹449 crore) and 17-km Ludhiana-Kila Raipur line (₹238 crore) aim to further enhance network efficiency by 2027.
Under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme, 30 stations in Punjab, including Amritsar, Jalandhar, and Ludhiana, are being redeveloped with modern amenities like escalators, Wi-Fi, and food courts, at a cost of ₹1,500 crore. Vaishnaw also celebrated operational achievements, noting that 29 rail divisions, including Malda, Mysore, and Nagpur, have achieved 90% punctuality, reflecting improved scheduling and infrastructure.
These developments underscore the Railway Ministry’s commitment to modernizing India’s rail network, with the Vande Bharat Sleeper trains poised to redefine long-distance travel and Punjab’s projects enhancing regional connectivity and economic prospects.
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