80 Vande Bharat Sleeper trains soon; know BHEL-TRSL Rs 24,000 crore contract details

Titagarh Rail Systems Limited (TRSL) and Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) have secured a Rs 24,000 crore contract to manufacture and maintain 80 Vande Bharat Sleeper trains for Indian Railways, marking a significant leap in India’s indigenous rail infrastructure development.

The project, awarded under the Make in India initiative, includes a 35-year maintenance agreement.

A dedicated production line for these sleeper trains was inaugurated on Friday at TRSL’s Uttarpara facility in West Bengal. The facility is equipped with Industry 4.0 technologies and robotic systems and is India's only unit capable of producing both stainless steel and aluminium coaches under one roof.

India’s First Semi-High-Speed Sleeper Trains

The sleeper variant of Vande Bharat will be India’s first semi-high-speed, long-distance train featuring a fully indigenous design, energy-efficient operations, modern coach layouts, and advanced safety systems. These trains are designed to enhance overnight travel by combining speed, comfort, and smart onboard amenities.

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Production Timeline and Expansion Plans

Production has already begun, with the prototype expected by next calendar year. The Uttarpara plant currently has an annual capacity of 300 coaches, but this is being expanded to 850 to meet rising demand.

TRSL’s financial performance reflects its growth trajectory: Q2 FY25 net profit rose 19% year-on-year to Rs 84.84 crore, while half-yearly net profit reached Rs 156.20 crore, up 18%.

The Vande Bharat Sleeper project aligns with India’s push to modernise rail travel and reduce dependency on imports. With a market cap exceeding Rs 10,000 crore, TRSL continues to strengthen its position as a leader in rolling stock manufacturing, supporting the nation’s vision for self-reliant, high-quality transportation solutions.