India is set to introduce a sleeper version of its semi-high-speed Vande Bharat service on the Howrah–Guwahati route, with officials confirming the cost and technical details as the first set prepares to enter service next week. Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw disclosed that each coach of the Vande Bharat Sleeper train costs roughly Rs 8 to 8.5 crore, a figure he said is lower than the typical price of a metro coach.
Vande Bharat Sleeper train coach configuration and capacity
The inaugural Howrah–Guwahati Vande Bharat Sleeper will run with 16 coaches. Of these, 11 are AC 3-tier, four are AC 2-tier and one is First AC. The train can accommodate 823 passengers in total: 611 in 3-tier, 188 in 2-tier and 24 in First AC. Production of the sleeper variant is underway at several factories, while the Howrah–Guwahati set was manufactured by public sector firm BEML using technology developed at the Integral Coach Factory.
Although standard Vande Bharat formations include 20 coaches on some routes, rail officials selected a 16-coach configuration for this sleeper service to balance capacity, route constraints and operating efficiency. Authorities say about 200 Vande Bharat trains are at various stages of construction, with a target to operate at least 12 sleeper sets by 2026.
Performance, safety and passenger comfort
The train has a design speed of up to 180 km/h, classifying it as semi-high-speed stock. In practice, the Howrah–Guwahati section lacks a continuous corridor that permits such speeds, and the service will operate at an average speed close to 66 km/h on the route. The sleeper train incorporates upgraded suspension to improve ride comfort over long distances and features measures to reduce noise.
Operators have fitted the train with modern safety and operational systems. These include the indigenous Kavach train protection system and an emergency talk-back facility that allows passengers to communicate with the driver if needed. Driver cabs contain advanced controls and safety elements, while automatic external doors and aerodynamically designed exteriors aid efficiency and boarding.
Onboard facilities and hygiene measures
Railway officials say the Vande Bharat Sleeper train provides improved berth cushioning and ergonomics aimed at better overnight comfort compared with existing sleeper options. Vestibules between coaches have been modernised to ease movement along the train, and automatic doors are intended to streamline access.
To maintain hygiene standards, the trains use specific disinfectant technologies and design choices to simplify cleaning. The combination of enhanced passenger amenities, safety systems and domestic manufacturing aligns with the ministry’s push to accelerate production and deploy sleeper sets across several long-distance corridors.
As India scales up production of the sleeper variant, planners expect the new trains to offer a faster, more comfortable overnight option while leveraging local industry expertise. The Howrah–Guwahati service will act as a testbed for the sleeper configuration before broader roll-out to other routes.
Key Takeaways:
- Vande Bharat Sleeper train coaches cost about Rs 8–8.5 crore each, lower than typical metro coaches.
- The Howrah–Guwahati train is built by BEML using ICF technology and will have 16 coaches carrying 823 passengers.
- Design speed reaches 180 km/h but average operating speed on the route will be around 66 km/h.
- Train features advanced safety systems, improved suspension for passenger comfort and automated doors.
