Vande Bharat, launched in February 2019, revolutionized Indian Railways by becoming the first semi-high-speed train in India. As of January 2025, 136 Vande Bharat Express trains are operating across the country, connecting various cities and regions. Currently, Vande Bharat offers two seating options for travelers: Chair Car (CC) and Executive Chair Car (EC), with the latter being the more expensive choice. However, this is about to change, as Vande Bharat Sleeper trains are set to launch in Kerala soon. Yes, you read that correctly! Indian Railways has made Kerala a priority for introducing the Vande Bharat Sleeper Train in the Southern Railway zone. Read on to know more about it.
India is introducing its first Vande Bharat Sleeper train as part of a new initiative by the Northern Railway, with Kerala being chosen to receive one of nine trains expected to launch soon. The state has been prioritized for the 16-coach train set for the Southern Railway zone.
Vande Bharat Sleeper Trains To Accommodate Around 1,128 Passengers
Reports suggest that the Thiruvananthapuram–Mangaluru route is the top choice for this service. And other possible routes include Thiruvananthapuram–Bengaluru and Kanyakumari–Srinagar, which aims to improve inter-zone travel.
Designed by the Integral Coach Factory and built by Bharat Earth Movers Limited, this train will have air-conditioned coaches, automatic doors, and the Kavach safety system. It will accommodate around 1,128 passengers, featuring modern sleeping berths and interiors. Each coach will offer GPS-enabled LED displays and individual reading lights, with accessible toilets and berths for enhanced convenience.
In addition to this, the Indian Railways has announced a plan to introduce 100 Amrit Bharat trains, 50 Namo Bharat trains, and 200 Vande Bharat trains. These new services will feature both sleeper and chair car options over the next two to three years.
