Vande Bharat Sleeper Trains Ready; To Roll Out After October 15
Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has confirmed that the rollout of Vande Bharat sleeper trains will wait until a second rake is ready, and that both rakes will be launched together to ensure uninterrupted daily service. The second rake is currently under manufacture and is expected to be delivered by October 15, after which routes and operations will be finalised.
One train has already completed trials and is parked at the Shakur Basti coaching depot in Delhi, officials told reporters. That train has cleared all necessary tests, but the ministry is holding off commercial operations until the second rake arrives so the service can run reliably on overnight schedules.
What the sleeper Vande Bharat looks like
The sleeper variant is being built by BEML with Integral Coach Factory input and is configured as a 16-coach electric multiple unit. It will include AC First Class, AC 2-Tier and AC 3-Tier coaches and is reported to carry about 1,128 passengers in the full rake. The train is designed for speeds up to 180 kmph and comes with modern interiors and safety systems comparable to other Vande Bharat sets.
Possible routes and political context
Reports suggest the New Delhi–Patna sector is a likely first commercial run for the Vande Bharat sleeper, a route that would cut journey time for overnight travellers and is seen as strategically important ahead of state polls. Officials and railway watchers have flagged Patna as a natural early choice because the sleeper can deliver faster overnight connectivity.
Watch the first look of the first Vande Bharat Sleeper Train:
🚆✨ First look at the brand-new Vande Bharat Sleeper Train!
— PuneNow (@itspunenow) September 25, 2025
Built for speed, comfort and convenience, this 16-coach beauty can carry 1,128 passengers and run at 180 kmph. With AC First, AC 2-Tier and AC 3-Tier coaches, modern interiors, automated doors and world-class safety… pic.twitter.com/zRagySsp4d
At the same media briefing in New Delhi, Vaishnaw also proposed a new Vande Bharat service connecting New Delhi and Firozpur Cantonment. The proposed Firozpur–Delhi Vande Bharat would pass through Faridkot, Bathinda (W), Dhuri, Patiala, Ambala Cantonment, Kurukshetra and Panipat, covering about 486 kilometres in roughly seven hours, officials said. The ministry will seek approvals, including from the prime minister, before the service is finalised.
New rail line for Punjab: Rajpura–Mohali
Besides the Vande Bharat updates, the ministry approved a new 18-kilometre Rajpura–Mohali rail link at an estimated cost of Rs 443 crore. The project is expected to give the Malwa region a direct rail link to Chandigarh, ease congestion on the Rajpura–Ambala corridor and shorten the Ambala–Morinda connection. Officials say the new line will reduce travel distance by about 66 kilometres on certain itineraries, cutting travel time and freight movement costs for the region.
Festive season planning: 12,000 special trains and standby unreserved services
To handle the festival rush, Indian Railways has announced plans to run up to 12,000 special trains between October 1 and November 15 for Diwali and Chhath. So far, notifications for nearly 10,000 special trips have been issued and the railways will keep around 150 fully unreserved trains on standby for last-minute deployment. The ministry said a further batch of services will be notified in line with demand.
Performance and operations
Vaishnaw highlighted improvements in operational punctuality, noting that 29 rail divisions have achieved 90 percent or better on-time performance. The ministry presented those figures as evidence of improved reliability across the network while it gears up for the festive season and the new services.
Why the second rake matters
The decision to launch both Vande Bharat sleeper rakes together is operational. Overnight services need a reliable daily turnaround and a single rake can leave little room for maintenance or unscheduled downtime. With two rakes in service, Indian Railways can maintain a daily schedule while one rake undergoes routine servicing or emergency repairs. Vaishnaw emphasised continuity of service as the key reason for the simultaneous launch.
पंजाब के लिए…
— Ashwini Vaishnaw (@AshwiniVaishnaw) September 23, 2025
🛤️ नई रेल लाइन
🚆 नई वंदे भारत एक्सप्रेस pic.twitter.com/R2RosoPzjK
What to expect next
Once the second rake is delivered after October 15, the railways will finalise routes, timetables and maintenance plans. Ticketing windows, fares and coach composition per service will be announced in the usual manner through Indian Railways and public portals. For now, travellers can expect the Vande Bharat sleeper to offer faster overnight travel with modern amenities, and the ministry to prioritise routes that give the biggest time savings and carry heavy passenger demand.
Frequently asked questions
Will the Vande Bharat sleeper run before October 15?
The ministry has said no commercial launch will happen until the second rake arrives, which officials expect by October 15. The first rake is ready after trials, but the second rake is needed to ensure daily continuity.
Which route will be first?
There is reporting that the New Delhi–Patna sector is a strong candidate for the inaugural run, though the ministry has not officially confirmed a first commercial route. Vaishnaw has also proposed a Firozpur Cantonment–Delhi Vande Bharat, which the government will review.
What are the key features of the sleeper Vande Bharat?
The sleeper rake will be fully air-conditioned, offer sleeping berths across AC First, AC 2-Tier and AC 3-Tier, have modern interiors, automated doors and safety features, and is designed to run up to 180 kmph. Each rake is reported as a 16-coach set with capacity around 1,128 passengers.
How will this affect Delhi–Patna travel time?
Reports suggest the Vande Bharat sleeper could cut Delhi–Patna journey time to about 11 hours on the fast schedule, compared with the existing 12–17 hours on conventional services. The exact timetable will depend on the final route, commercial stops and track clearances.
Will there be extra trains for Diwali and Chhath?
Yes. Indian Railways plans up to 12,000 special trains between October 1 and November 15, with nearly 10,000 trips already notified and 150 fully unreserved trains kept ready for rapid deployment.
