Railways plans to manufacture 24-coach Vande Bharat sleeper, Pg2

Key Highlights:

• Indian Railways plans to manufacture a 24-coach Vande Bharat sleeper train at the Integral Coach Factory (ICF) in Chennai.
• The prototype is targeted to be rolled out by the end of 2026, featuring enhanced facilities and greater passenger capacity.
• The new train will have 17 third AC, five second AC, and one first AC coaches, accommodating 1,224 passengers.
• India's first Vande Bharat sleeper train was flagged off on January 17 from Howrah to Guwahati.

Detailed Insights:

• The introduction of the Vande Bharat sleeper trains aims to set a new standard for luxurious and comfortable train travel in India.
• The 24-coach train will increase passenger capacity by approximately 49%, adding 401 berths compared to the 16-coach configuration.
• Passenger amenities include ergonomically designed berths, integrated reading lights, charging points, Wi-Fi, vacuum-assisted toilets, and improved luggage spaces.
• The train will incorporate advanced safety features such as CCTV surveillance, fire safety measures aligned with international norms, and Kavach, the train collision avoidance system.
• Fares for the Vande Bharat sleeper will be Rs 3.4 per km for third AC, Rs 3.1 per km for second AC, and Rs 3.8 per km for first AC, excluding Goods and Services Tax.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Make in India: A Government of India initiative to encourage domestic manufacturing and reduce reliance on imports.
• Kavach: An automatic train protection system developed by Indian Railways to prevent train collisions.
• Regenerative Braking: An energy recovery mechanism that decelerates a vehicle by converting its kinetic energy into another form of energy.