India’s railway network is on the cusp of a major upgrade in long-distance travel as the country’s first-ever Vande Bharat Sleeper train has completed its rigorous trials and testing, ushering in a new era of luxury and speed on the rails. The fully built prototype, designed for overnight journeys, is now poised for operational launch.

The train successfully completed extensive trials, including a crucial 540 km test run between Ahmedabad and Mumbai, which it covered in approximately 5 hours and 25 minutes. During earlier testing in the Kota division, the train demonstrated its capability by hitting a top speed of 180 km/h. Officials noted that the sleeper version completed its trials, supervised by the Research Designs and Standards Organisation (RDSO), in just 28 days—a significant improvement on the trial time of the original Vande Bharat chair car.

The Vande Bharat Sleeper train is specifically configured for long-distance, overnight travel. The prototype is a 16-coach self-propelled Electric Multiple Unit (EMU) trainset with a total capacity of 1,128 passengers. The coach configuration includes AC First Class, AC 2-Tier, and AC 3-Tier.

Key passenger-centric features distinguishing the new train include:

• World-Class Amenities: Enhanced cushioned berths with superior padding, a redesigned ladder for easier access to upper berths, and integrated lighting systems.
• Safety & Technology: It is equipped with the indigenous KAVACH anti-collision system, crashworthy components, and fire detection and suppression systems (HL3 compliant).
• Convenience: The coaches feature automatic exterior and inter-connecting doors, modular pantries, a centralized Coach Monitoring System, and touch-free bio-vacuum toilets, with First AC coaches offering a hot water shower facility.
• Connectivity: Individual reading lights, USB charging ports, power outlets, and onboard Wi-Fi are available for passengers.

Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has indicated that the Vande Bharat Sleeper services will be launched simultaneously with the readiness of the second trainset to ensure continuity in regular operations. While the first rake has completed testing, the second is anticipated to be ready by mid-October 2025.

The initial routes are expected to be on high-demand corridors such as New Delhi–Howrah and New Delhi–Mumbai, although final routes will be determined just before the official rollout. The new sleeper variant aims to offer a significantly smoother and faster journey than existing premium long-distance trains, such as the Rajdhani Express.

The prototype of the Vande Bharat sleeper coach is here! The video provides a visual overview of the Vande Bharat sleeper coach prototype while it was being unveiled.