Vande Bharat Sleeper Production Surges: First 16-Coach Rake by March 2026

• Titagarh Rail Systems and BHEL are manufacturing 80 Vande Bharat Sleeper trainsets, each with 16 coaches, under a Rs 24,000 crore contract.
• The first 16-coach rake's car bodies are targeted for completion by March 31, 2026, with the full train expected by Q3 FY2027.
• The Ministry of Railways awarded contracts to BEML, Kinet Railway Solutions, and the Titagarh-BHEL consortium for sleeper train production.
• India's first operational Vande Bharat Sleeper train, connecting Howrah and Kamakhya, launched in January, covering 972 km in 14 hours.
• The operational train features 16 coaches (823 passengers), regional catering, Kavach system, and advanced passenger amenities.