Vande Bharat Sleeper: AP, Telangana Await High-Speed Luxury Trains Amid Political Row

• The central government launched the first Vande Bharat Sleeper in Bengal, along with four Amrit Bharat trains, ahead of assembly elections, drawing criticism from Congress for prioritizing political gains.
• Andhra Pradesh and Telangana are significant revenue generators for Indian Railways, yet face criticism for not receiving adequate priority in new train allocations.
• The Vande Bharat Sleeper is a 16-coach train accommodating 823 passengers with airplane-like facilities, but high ticket prices (AC 3-tier from Rs. 960, AC 1st class up to Rs. 1.33 lakh) make it inaccessible to common people.
• The central government plans to introduce 15-20 Vande Bharat Sleeper trains this year, with a possibility of one or two for AP and Telangana, potentially connecting Secunderabad to Delhi.
• The government aims to manufacture 800 Vande Bharat trains by 2030 and operate 4,500 by 2047, focusing on long-distance routes, potentially linking AP and Telangana with other states.

Why It Matters: AP and Telangana await Vande Bharat Sleeper trains, questioning allocation priorities amid political considerations.