Vande Bharat sleeper train BIG update: Ashwini Vaishnaw says ‘minor’ changes made due to…, train will be launched in…

Earlier, in an October 28 letter to the RDSO, the Railway Ministry, had conveyed its sanction for the introduction of a 16-car Vande Bharat Sleeper train with certain modifications.

Vande Bharat Sleeper Train: In a major update on the potential launch of the much-awaited Vande Bharat Sleeper Train, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said that the first train is undergoing “minor” retrofitting to improve passenger comfort, and will be launched by the end of December this year.

When will Vande Bharat sleeper train be launched?

Talking to reporters in New Delhi on Tuesday, Vaishnaw said minor changes were suggested in bogie and seats, and these issues are now being addressed. “Whatever issues that appeared during the testing of the first rake, we are addressing them in the first as well as in the second train,” he said.

According to the minister, the changes are “minor” in nature but “we are treating them as major because we want to match the high standards of passenger comfort,”, adding that passenger convenience and safety is being prioritized. “We don’t believe in shortcuts because we have to make a good product for the next generation.”

Asked about the probable date for launch of the Vande Bharat Sleeper Train, Vaishnaw replied, “We will launch the train in December.”

Who is retrofitting the train?

Meanwhile, Bharat Earth Movers Ltd (BEML), which is manufacturing 10 Vande Bharat sleeper train, confirmed the first train, a prototype, is being retrofitted after extensive testing and trials under the supervision of the Research Designs and Standards Organisation (RDSO) and the Commissioner of Railway Safety.

“Since it is a prototype, it is very natural to test the train on all safety and comfort parameters. The first rake is back with us after intensive testing along with the suggested modifications,” news agency PTI quoted a BEML official as saying.

Why Vande Bharat needed changes?

Earlier, in an October 28 letter to the RDSO, the Railway Ministry, had conveyed its sanction for the introduction of a 16-car Vande Bharat Sleeper train with certain modifications for future improvements, including the provision of Arc Fault Detection Device (to prevent fire break-outs), relocation of the AC duct, provision of fire-survival cable for CCTV, and a third-party audit of the European standards for fire protection (EN 45545) and crashworthiness (EN 15227), among others.

“Emergency alarm button and its indication sign board is found to be hidden behind the upper berth connector console and appear inaccessible to passengers for operation in emergency situations. This needs to be suitably relocated at an appropriate accessible location in the future production,” the letter said.

In another letter, addressed to the RDSO as well as all the zonal railways on October 28, the ministry flagged furnishings and workmanship issues in the train.

Notably, the Vande Bharat sleeper train has missed several launch deadlines in the past.

Vande Bharat sleeper train

Manufactured at a cost of Rs 120 crore between the Integral Coach Factory (ICF) and BEML, the each Vande Bharat sleeper train set will have 16 coaches, which the railways plans to increase to 24 in the near future, officials said, adding that there are 67 sleeper berths in one train set.

The Vande Bharat sleeper train has a capacity of 823 passengers and all 16 coaches are air-conditioned, they said.

(With PTI inputs)