Two more Vande Bharat Sleeper rakes to be ready soon; will Odisha get any?

With the country eagerly awaiting the rollout of the second Vande Bharat sleeper service, two additional sleeper rakes may be ready by next month. The development has sparked fresh hope among railway passengers in Odisha, who are now wondering whether the state could soon be on the sleeper Vande Bharat map.

The sleeper version of the Vande Bharat trains is being developed in phases by Bharat Earth Movers Limited (BEML) in coordination with the Integral Coach Factory (ICF), Chennai. As per the initial plan, 10 sleeper rakes, each comprising 16 coaches, were to be supplied to Indian Railways by the end of March. However, officials indicate that the timeline may be extended.

Also Read: Vande Bharat sleeper train draws overwhelming response from passengers

As per The Times of India report, sources associated with the project say that the third and fourth sleeper rakes are likely to be delivered before the end of March, while the remaining units from the first batch may roll out gradually in the coming months. 

A revised target for completing the initial set is reportedly being considered around August, as the trains must undergo mandatory trials, testing and safety approvals before being introduced for passenger services.

You May Like: Vande Bharat Sleeper Train Fare Announced; No RAC, No Officer Quota

260 Additional Vande Bharat Sleeper Rakes

Meanwhile, the Railway Ministry has announced an ambitious long-term plan to manufacture 260 additional Vande Bharat sleeper rakes across the country. 

In a recent reply in the Lok Sabha, Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw stated that the sleeper programme is being executed in a phased manner, including prototype development, trials and subsequent large-scale production involving BEML and ICF along with technology partners.

As several states push for allocation of the premium sleeper trains, Odisha too is hopeful of securing one in the future. With growing passenger demand on long-distance routes such as Bhubaneswar–Delhi, Puri–Mumbai and other major corridors, residents believe the Vande Bharat sleeper could significantly upgrade overnight rail travel from the state.

Read More: Vande Bharat Sleeper trains to hit tracks; know features, booking process and ticket fare

While there is no official confirmation yet regarding Odisha’s allocation, the expansion of production has raised expectations that the state may eventually receive one of these modern sleeper trains in the coming phases.