The country’s first Vande Bharat Sleeper Train is undergoing minor improvements to make it more comfortable. Seats and bogies are being improved, along with upgrades to fire safety and emergency systems. BEML is carrying out the retrofitting, and the launch will take place in December.
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Vande Bharat Sleeper Train: Following the nationwide response to the Vande Bharat trains, everyone has been eagerly awaiting the arrival of the Vande Bharat Sleeper trains. Now, it seems, this wait is about to end. Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has provided a major update regarding the Vande Bharat Sleeper trains. The Minister stated that some “minor” changes are currently being made to the first Vande Bharat Sleeper train to ensure better comfort and a safer journey for passengers. The Minister stated that the train will be launched in December. This first long-haul Vande Bharat Sleeper train will offer passengers both high-level comfort and speed.
The Railway Minister clearly stated that the changes are minor, but the Railways is taking them very seriously, as there will be no compromise on passenger comfort and safety. “We don’t believe in shortcuts. We want to build the best trains for future generations,” he said.
These updates are being made to the trains!
The rake of the first Vande Bharat Sleeper train was tested on several levels. After the testing, experts stated that minor improvements to the seats and bogies could further improve the passenger experience. The Railway Minister stated that the suggestions made during the testing are being implemented in both the first and second trains.
Currently, this first prototype rake is with BEML (Bharat Earth Movers Limited), where retrofitting work is underway. The entire process is being monitored by the RDSO (Research Designs and Standards Organization) and the Commissioner of Railway Safety.
BEML is working on the suggestions
BEML officials also confirmed that the train has been returned to them and all technical improvements are being made based on the suggestions. They stated that improvements to the prototype are a normal process, as the first model is always finalized after extensive testing and refinement.
European Standards Will Be Tested
On October 28th, the Railway Ministry wrote a significant letter to the RDSO suggesting several safety improvements. These include implementing European standards related to fire safety and accident protection.
The improvements include:
⦁ Arc Fault Detection Device (to prevent the possibility of fire)
⦁ New positioning of the AC duct to improve air circulation
⦁ Fire-survival cable for CCTV
⦁ Third-party audit of EN 45545 (Fire Protection)
⦁ Third-party audit of EN 15227 (Crashworthiness)
Update on the Emergency Button
Another significant issue was discovered during testing: in some coaches, the emergency alarm button was hidden behind the connector of the upper berth, making it difficult for passengers to press it in an emergency. The Railway Ministry has clearly instructed that this button be installed in a place easily accessible to all passengers in future coaches.
Railways also closely monitors furnishing and workmanship
In another letter, the Railways also raised questions about the quality of furnishings and the work done inside the coaches. The Ministry stated that the design and finishing needs to be further improved so that the train not only looks premium but also proves robust and durable over long journeys.
The first Vande Bharat Sleeper Train will hit the tracks in December!
When journalists asked the Railway Minister when the train would be launched, he gave a clear answer—December. The train was originally scheduled to launch on October 15, but the date had to be postponed due to quality improvement and safety testing. Now that final improvements are being made at a rapid pace, the Railways is confident that the train will be available to passengers in December.
