Our more than 160-year-old Indian Railways is now going to enter a new era. The main reason for this is the upcoming Vande Bharat train with sleeper coaches. Vande Bharat is one of the legacy trains for India. Its features and comfort are just next level in comparison with the current sleeper coaches.
The Early Years of Indian Railways
In these 160 years, Indian Railways has passed through 4 different stages.
The first stage was from 1832 to 1853. In the Indian railway proposal to be made in Madras, the first passenger train ran between Bori Bunder (Bombay) and Thane.
The second stage of the Indian Railway was the period of expansion. By 1880 this network had expanded to 14,500. Most of it was based on major port cities like Bombay, Madras, and Calcutta.
After this, the third stage started. At this stage Indian Railways underwent modernization. This included the introduction of electric and diesel locomotives, the construction of new lines, and the adoption of new technologies.
However, a phase of privatization has also started but we will not talk about it here.
Milestones Vande Bharat Train Has Reached
On October 1, 2023, more than 32 Vande Bharat trains made their first trip. The Indian Railways made history when they cleaned Vande Bharat trains in just 14 minutes. The Vande Bharat Express now has 46 trains that run through 24 states and union regions. India’s first semi-high-speed train, the Vande Bharat Express, runs on 23 lines and has top-notch amenities for its customers. Vande Bharat Express now has 46 trains in its fleet. These trains pass through 24 states and 2 union regions. In the current fiscal year, 2023-24, the Vande Bharat trains were used a whopping 99.60% of the time.
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How current Vande Bharat trains have transformed travel in India
The Vande Bharat Express is known as India’s first semi-high-speed train. It has a maximum speed of 160 km/h which is claimed to reduce travel time between cities. Modern features like automatic opening doors, updated rooms, and energy-efficient air conditioning make it a pleasure and convenient travel experience.
Indian Railway had started a new digital transformation journey with Vande Bharat. To keep people safe and secure, the trains have a number of digital features, such as GPS-based passenger information systems, Wi-Fi, and CCTV cams.
Vande Bharat’s New Sleeper Coach Version
The Vande Bharat Express, which is India’s most famous train, will soon have sleeper coaches. When a prototype for the Vande Bharat is finished in December 2023, you may be able to see it in motion in March 2024.
Sources in the government say that the Vande Bharat Express Sleeper Coach is being made at the Integral Coach Factory (ICF). Compared to the sleeping cars on other trains, the ones on this one will have bigger beds and more light. Also, the bathrooms will be big and new.
On the new plan, there will be 857 sleeping places. The Vande Bharat bed coach is an important addition to the Indian Railways train fleet because it should make travelers feel more comfortable and give them more ease.
The ICF is working on a new type of Vande Bharat train called the “Vande Metro,” in addition to the sleeping coach type.
How Vande Bharat’s Sleeper Coach will further transform travel in India
It is expected that the new Vande Bharat sleeping coach version will change the way people move in India even more by giving them more comfort and luxury. Here are some of the ways:
- Wider berths: The new Vande Bharat Express will have bed cars with bigger rooms than the ones that are already on the train.
- Brighter interior: The cabin of the new sleeper coach has more natural light, which is a big improvement over the current ones.
- Upgraded toilets: Unlike the current sleeper coaches, the new ones will have restrooms that are bigger and more modern.
- More berths: Compared to the current Vande Bharat Express trains, the new design would have more sleeping rooms (857 seats, to be exact).
- Manufacturing in India: As part of the ‘Make in India’ plan, the improved sleeper coach will be made by Integral Coach Factory (ICF) and Bharat Earth Movers.
Overall, the new Vande Bharat sleeping coach is made to make traveling easier and more comfortable for travelers. The more beds give people more options, and the bigger rooms, better interiors, and newer amenities will make the trip more enjoyable. The new version will be made in India, which will help that country’s economy.
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FAQs
What are the features of the Vande Bharat sleeper coach?
Vande Bharat sleeper coach will offer a more comfortable and luxurious experience than the current sleeper coaches, with more space and upgraded amenities.
When will the Vande Bharat sleeper coach be launched?
It looks like the Vande Bharat sleeper coach will be launched in early 2024. There’s some speculation about the exact launch date, but many sources are saying that it will be sometime in February 2024.
How many berths will the first version of the Vande Bharat sleeper coach have?
The first version of the Vande Bharat sleeper coach will have a total of 857 berths. These will be divided into 823 berths for passengers, and 34 berths for staff.
What is the Vande Bharat Express?
The Vande Bharat Express is India’s first semi-high speed train, which is operated by the Indian Railways. The train has been designed and manufactured in India, and it’s considered to be an important step in the modernization of the Indian Railways.
What routes will the Vande metro connect?
There are currently 25 routes that are served by the Vande Bharat Express, connecting major cities in India. The routes include New Delhi to Varanasi, New Delhi to SMVD Katra, Mumbai Central to Gandhinagar, New Delhi to Amb Andaura, and Chennai to Mysuru, among others.
