Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw unveiled the prototype version of Vande Bharat sleeper coach | X
Patna: Indian Railways set to run the Vande Bharat Sleeper Train nationwide, following the success of the Chair Car version. Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnav unveiled the sleeper train on September 1, with its inaugural route linking Patna and Delhi, serving Bihar residents. The train will run at around 160 km/h, covering the distance in approximately eight hours.
Comprising 16 coaches, the sleeper train will accommodate 823 berths, dwarfing the previous version’s capacity of 530 seats. Fares will be set for middle-class travelers, likely similar to Rajdhani prices, and services will operate over 800 to 1200 km, targeting overnight travel preference.
The sleeper train will feature three classes, AC First Class, AC 2-Tier, and AC 3-Tier, with modern amenities like charging ports and foldable snack tables. The new Vande Bharat Sleeper trains promise enhanced comfort and speed, outperforming the Rajdhani and Tejas Express, and are expected to offer better punctuality and efficiency, specifically catering to long-distance travelers.
Bihar Railway Budget 2025-26
Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced a significant allocation of Rs 10,066 crore for Bihar in the Rail Budget 2025-26, a sharp increase compared to the average allocation of Rs 1,132 crore from 2009 to 2014. In a video conference, he stated that Prime Minister Modi has earmarked Rs 2,52,200 crore for Indian Railways.
Between 2014 and 2024, Bihar expanded with the construction of 167 km of new railway lines annually, a marked improvement from the previous 64 km per year, and achieved 275 km of electrification yearly. Currently, there are 57 ongoing projects totaling Rs 86,458 crore and 98 stations are under redevelopment.
Upcoming Vande Bharat Routes
Future expansions may include additional routes, such as a new service from Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra to Srinagar, expected to commence in February 2025 and officiated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
