Vande Bharat Sleeper Train Launch Planned for October, Awaiting Second Rake
New Delhi: Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced on Tuesday that the much-awaited Vande Bharat Sleeper trains will be launched once a second train set is ready, which is expected by October 15, 2025.
Speaking to the media, the minister explained that while the first train has successfully completed its trials and is ready for service at the Shakur Basti Coaching Depot in Delhi, the ministry is waiting for the second one.
“Both the trains will be launched together,” Vaishnaw said. He stressed that having a second train is essential to maintain the continuity of regular services without interruptions. “Once we get the second rake, we will decide on a route and start operations,” he added.
There is speculation that the first route for the sleeper service might be between New Delhi and Patna, as Bihar is scheduled to have state elections by the end of the year.
The announcement was made during a press briefing where Vaishnaw and the Minister of State for Railways, Ravneet Singh Bittu, discussed the progress of railway projects in Punjab.
During the briefing, the ministers shared details about several key developments, including:
- New Delhi-Firozpur Vande Bharat: A proposal for a new Vande Bharat train connecting New Delhi and Firozpur Cantonment. The train is expected to cover the 486-kilometer distance in 6 hours and 40 minutes.
- Rajpura-Mohali Rail Link: The upcoming 18-kilometer line will connect the region to Chandigarh via the shortest route, reducing travel distance by about 66 kilometers and easing traffic on existing lines.
- Station Redevelopment: Thirty stations in Punjab are being redeveloped under the Amrit Bharat station redevelopment scheme to offer modern facilities.
Vaishnaw also highlighted the significant improvement in train punctuality, stating that 29 railway divisions across the country have now achieved a 90% on-time performance.
