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On Sunday, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw unveiled the prototype of the highly anticipated Vande Bharat sleeper coach at BEML's Bengaluru facility. The new sleeper coach, designed for long-distance overnight journeys, will undergo a rigorous 10-day trial before further testing on the tracks.
"After successfully launching Vande Bharat chair cars, we have now completed the manufacturing of Vande Bharat sleeper cars. The train will begin its trial and testing from today," Vaishnaw announced during the event.
The Minister inspected the coach, interacting with the railway staff responsible for its design and production. They highlighted key improvements in speed, safety, and passenger amenities compared to existing sleeper coaches. The Vande Bharat sleeper train, which features 16 coaches and offers 823 berths, is expected to be operational within three months. Production will ramp up following the prototype’s successful testing, with plans to roll out two to three trains every month after the initial production phase.
Designed to run at speeds of 160 kmph, the Vande Bharat sleeper version includes advanced safety features and world-class amenities, such as USB charging ports, modular pantries, and facilities for differently-abled passengers. First-class AC coaches will also include showers with hot water, enhancing comfort for long journeys.