Vande Bharat Sleeper Reaches 180 km/h in Trial Run
The Vande Bharat Sleeper Train successfully reached a top speed of 180 km/h during testing on the Sawai Madhopur–Kota–Nagda rail section, part of the West Central Railway (WCR) zone of Indian Railways.
Significance of the Test
“The successful test marks a significant milestone under the Indian Railways’ ‘Mission Gati Shakti’, aimed at enhancing both speed and efficiency across the country’s rail network.”
— West Central Railway, cited by Money Control
Train Features and Capacity
- Model: Vande Bharat 3.0
- Automatic doors and aircraft-inspired design
- Ultra-comfortable berths with on-board Wi-Fi
- 16-coach configuration including:
- One First AC coach
- Four AC 2-tier coaches
- Eleven AC 3-tier sleeper coaches
- Capacity: Over 1,100 passengers
Development and Inauguration
In May 2023, BEML secured a ₹675-crore order from the Integral Coach Factory (ICF), Chennai, to produce the first ten Vande Bharat Sleeper trainsets. The first trainset was inaugurated at BEML’s Bengaluru rail complex in September 2024 by the Hon’ble Union Minister for Railways, Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw.
Author's summary: The Vande Bharat Sleeper's successful 180 km/h trial highlights India's strides in modernizing rail travel through advanced design, comfort, and speed under Mission Gati Shakti.