Indian Railways’ upcoming Vande Bharat sleeper coach trains are set to redefine luxury travel, according to Shantanu Roy, Chairman & Managing Director of BEML. BEML, a defence PSU known for its rolling stock manufacturing, is collaborating with ICF, Chennai to develop the first Vande Bharat sleeper train. The aim is to unveil the first prototype by March 2024, with manufacturing commencing shortly, a TOI report by Smriti Jain stated.
In an interview with TOI, Roy expressed his excitement about the project, stating that the Vande Bharat train sets present a significant opportunity for BEML. The Vande Bharat sleeper train, an upgraded version of the premium Rajdhani Express train, promises faster and more comfortable overnight travel. It will be equipped with superior features and an aerodynamic design, setting it apart from its counterparts. The interior, inspired by international train models, will provide a unique and elevated experience for passengers.
The Vande Bharat sleeper train will consist of 16 coaches, including 11 AC 3-tier coaches (611 berths), 4 AC 2-tier coaches (188 berths), and 1 First AC coach (24 berths), with a total capacity of 823 berths. Indian Railways envisions the Vande Bharat Express as the future replacement for the Shatabdi Express trains, offering an all air-conditioned chair car service.
BEML also sees immense potential in the Vande Bharat project. With the Railway’s plan to introduce 800 train sets by 2030, there is a massive opportunity worth over Rs 1.5 lakh crore for BEML. Even with a conservative success rate of 50%, this translates to a staggering opportunity size of at least Rs 75,000 crore for BEML over the next 5-7 years, as per Roy.
The Vande Bharat sleeper train project aims to revolutionize train travel with its state-of-the-art design and enhanced passenger experience. As Indian Railways continues to invest in modernizing its fleet, the Vande Bharat sleeper trains are set to become the epitome of world-class travel in India.
