Update on Vande Bharat Sleeper Trains: The first prototype of the Vande Bharat Sleeper trainset has been produced and is set to undergo field trials, according to Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw in a written statement to the Rajya Sabha.
He noted that the rollout timeline for the train will depend on the successful completion of these trials. As of December 2, Vaishnaw reported that there are 136 medium-distance Vande Bharat trains with Chair Car Coaches operating throughout the Indian Railways network, of which 16 services are specifically serving stations in Tamil Nadu. The longest Vande Bharat train route operates between Delhi and Banaras, spanning 771 km.
He also mentioned that introducing new train services, including Vande Bharat and its variants, is an ongoing endeavor for Indian Railways, contingent upon traffic demand, operational viability, resource availability, and other factors.
Features of the Vande Bharat Sleeper Trains include:
– Equipped with the KAVACH system
– Compliance with HL3 fire safety standards
– Semi-permanent couplers and anti
-climbers designed for crashworthiness and reduced jerk
– Carbody design that adheres to EN safety standards
– Energy-efficient regenerative braking system
– Higher average speeds coupled with quick acceleration and deceleration
– Emergency communication system between passengers and the Train Manager/Loco Pilot
– Accessible accommodations and toilets for passengers with restricted mobility in the driving coaches
– Centrally controlled automatic plug doors and fully sealed wider gangways
– Ergonomically designed ladders for easier access to upper berths
– Centralized Coach Monitoring System for improved tracking of passenger amenities like air conditioning and lighting
– CCTV surveillance cameras installed in all coaches.
