The much-anticipated sleeper variant of the Vande Bharat trains is likely to face delays before hitting the tracks. This is due to ongoing discussions about significant changes to the train’s design and length, according to sources. These talks stem from a substantial supply and maintenance contract worth around Rs 60,000 crore. Progress on the prototype has been slower than expected, with delays attributed to the ongoing negotiations. As a result, passengers looking forward to traveling in the premium sleeper trains will have to wait longer than initially anticipated.
Reports suggest that Indian Railways is particularly interested in procuring sleeper variants with 24 coaches. A senior official involved in the project said that the contract terms allow for flexibility in coach configurations. According to the official, “The terms of the contract allow changing the coach configuration of every rake. Railways can ask for 12-, 16-, or 24-coach trains without incurring any additional costs.” This flexibility in design is intended to accommodate different operational requirements, but the ongoing talks are contributing to the overall delay in delivering the prototype.
The contract for 200 Vande Bharat sleeper trains was awarded in mid-2023 to Kinet Railway Solutions, a consortium that includes Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) and Titagarh Rail Systems (TRS). The original plan was to unveil a prototype within a year of awarding the contract, but progress has been slower than expected. As of now, work on the sleeper variant has yet to commence in full swing, further delaying the rollout of the premium sleeper trains.
Meanwhile, another agreement was signed between Bharat Earth Movers Limited (BEML) and the Integral Coach Factory (ICF) in Chennai for the supply of 10 sleeper-variant trains. Earlier this month, some prototype coaches were showcased, and the first consignment is expected by the end of this year. While this is a positive development, it is still a small fraction of the overall demand.
Kinet Railway Solutions, an Indo-Russian joint venture, has also secured an order for 120 sleeper variant trains at a cost of Rs 120 crore for 16-coach rakes. Under the same price structure, the BHEL-TRS consortium is set to supply 80 additional trains.
The sleeper variant of the Vande Bharat trains, a highly awaited addition to India’s rail network, is currently facing delays due to ongoing design modifications and contract discussions. While prototype coaches have been showcased and the first deliveries are expected by year-end, the bulk of the sleeper variants may take longer to arrive. Kinet Railway Solutions remains in close consultation with Indian Railways to finalize the adjustments, but passengers will have to wait a little longer for the luxury of traveling on these sleeper trains.
