Indian Railways Unveils 24‑Coach Vande Bharat Sleeper – Luxury Travel Gets a Major Upgrade

Good news for anyone who’s ever dreaded a night‑long train journey in India: the Vande Bharat Sleeper is about to get a serious facelift. In a joint effort between the Integral Coach Factory in Chennai and BEML in Bengaluru, the railways have drafted a 24‑coach version that will carry more than a thousand passengers and, for the first time, sprinkle in a dose of hotel‑like comfort.

The new trainset will boast 1,224 seats spread across a mix of AC 3‑tier, AC 2‑tier and a First‑Class coach. That’s a jump from the current 823‑berth configuration seen in the 16‑coach variant. In plain terms, you’ll find more room for families, workers and tourists heading out on those long‑haul routes that previously felt cramped.

But capacity isn’t the only thing getting a boost. Each of the 24 coaches will feature a compact mini‑pantry, while a dedicated, fully air‑conditioned pantry car will serve freshly cooked meals. Imagine being able to grab a hot cup of tea or a balanced meal without the usual hustle of a moving kitchen.

And yes, the rumours about hot showers are true. The train will be fitted with shower cubicles that deliver warm water, a welcome luxury for travelers who spend many hours on the rails. Alongside the showers, the coaches will include storage for fresh linens and towels, modern reading lights and viewing LEDs, as well as upgraded, spill‑proof toilets.

Safety hasn’t been ignored either. The new Vande Bharat Sleeper will retain the KAVACH anti‑collision system, add CCTV monitoring and fire‑safety equipment, plus a shock‑free suspension that promises a smoother ride even at the designed speed of 160 km/h.

The railways have ambitious rollout plans: 50 of these super‑capacity trainsets are slated for production, with the first prototype expected to be finished before the year ends. Once fully deployed, the fleet could dramatically reshape overnight travel on busy corridors, giving the iconic Rajdhani Express a run for its money.

On the staffing side, the Indian Railways is also investing in people. Engineers and operational staff who will run these sleek sleepers are set to receive advanced training at IIT Kharagpur, under a fresh five‑year MoU with the Indian Railways Institute of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering (IRIMEE) in Jamalpur. The idea is to blend cutting‑edge rolling‑stock technology with a technically proficient workforce.

All eyes are now on the debut service, which is expected to start regular operations by mid‑2027. Until then, commuters can look forward to a new kind of rail experience—one where comfort, convenience and safety travel together in a single, 24‑coach marvel.