Indian Railways is building a bigger version of the Vande Bharat sleeper train, with 24 coaches in place of the current 16. The new train will carry 1,224 passengers, around 400 more than the existing sleeper, and will have a full pantry car for the first time. It is being designed at the Integral Coach Factory (ICF) in Chennai, and the first train is expected to start running in the first half of 2027, with June 2027 as the target.
The move follows a good response to the first 16-coach Vande Bharat sleeper, which started running between Howrah and Kamakhya (Guwahati) in January 2026. With more berths, more toilets and onboard catering, the 24-coach train is being planned as a direct rival to the Rajdhani Express on busy overnight routes.
24-Coach Vande Bharat Sleeper Train: Key Details
| Number of coaches | 24 |
| Total berths | 1,224 |
| Classes | AC 3-tier, AC 2-tier, AC First Class |
| Pantry car | Yes, one full AC pantry car |
| Designed speed | 160 km/h (operating), 180 km/h (testing) |
| Built by | Integral Coach Factory, Chennai |
| Trains planned | 50 rakes |
| Expected launch | First half of 2027 (target: June 2027) |
Coach Composition of the 24-Coach Vande Bharat Sleeper
Most of the extra space has gone to AC 3-tier, the class with the highest demand on long-distance routes.
| Coach Type | 16-Coach Version | 24-Coach Version |
|---|---|---|
| AC 3-tier | 11 | 17 |
| AC 2-tier | 4 | 5 |
| AC First Class | 1 | 1 |
| Pantry car | None | 1 |
| Total berths | 823 | 1,224 |
Along with the main pantry car, the new train will also have small mini-pantry areas and linen storage spaces spread across different coaches. This should make it easier to serve hot food and hand out clean bedding during the journey.
Features of the 24-Coach Vande Bharat Sleeper Train
Comfort and Convenience
- Cushioned, better-shaped berths with easier steps to reach the upper berth
- Reading lights, night lights and mobile and laptop charging points at every berth
- Wi-Fi, passenger information screens and an infotainment system
- Hot water showers in the AC First Class coach
- More luggage space and more toilets than the 16-coach version
- Baby-care station and accessible toilets and ramps for passengers with disabilities
- Automatic doors between coaches and sealed gangways that keep out noise and dust
Safety
- Kavach, India’s own anti-collision system
- CCTV cameras in all coaches
- Fire safety systems built to international standards
- Crash-resistant stainless-steel body
- Emergency talk-back unit to speak directly with the train crew
Ride Quality and Technology
- Air-spring suspension for a smoother, less bumpy ride
- Disc brakes and better noise insulation, which matters on overnight journeys
- Regenerative braking that saves energy, plus LED lighting
- Vacuum bio-toilets, similar to those on aircraft
- Onboard monitoring that alerts staff to faults before they turn into breakdowns
24-Coach Vande Bharat vs Rajdhani Express
For decades, the Rajdhani Express has been the top overnight train in India. The 24-coach Vande Bharat sleeper is being built to beat it on speed, comfort and safety, while matching it on food service with its own pantry car.
| Feature | 24-Coach Vande Bharat Sleeper | Rajdhani Express |
|---|---|---|
| Train type | Self-propelled trainset, no separate engine | Pulled by a locomotive |
| Top design speed | 160 km/h | Up to 130 km/h on most routes |
| Pantry car | Yes | Yes |
| Automatic doors | Yes | No |
| Kavach | Built in | Depends on the route |
| Toilets | Vacuum bio-toilets | Bio-toilets |
| RAC and waitlist | Confirmed tickets only | RAC and waitlist allowed |
Because a Vande Bharat trainset has motors spread across the train, it speeds up and slows down much faster than a locomotive-hauled train. This alone can cut journey time on long routes, even where the track speed limit is the same.
What Will the Fare Be?
Fares for the 24-coach train have not been announced yet. They are expected to follow the fare structure of the current Vande Bharat sleeper, which costs slightly more than the Rajdhani Express.
| Distance | AC 3-tier | AC 2-tier | AC First Class |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1,000 km | About Rs 2,400 | About Rs 3,100 | About Rs 3,800 |
| 2,000 km | About Rs 4,800 | About Rs 6,200 | About Rs 7,600 |
These are base fares on the current sleeper train, before GST. The current sleeper also has a minimum charge of 400 km and issues only confirmed tickets, with no RAC or waitlist. Quotas for women, senior citizens and passengers with disabilities remain in place.
Why Indian Railways Needs a 24-Coach Sleeper
The first Vande Bharat trains were chair car trains made for day trips of up to around 8 to 10 hours. For longer journeys, passengers still had to depend on Rajdhani, Duronto and regular mail and express trains, where confirmed tickets are hard to get during peak season.
The 16-coach sleeper solved the comfort problem but carries only 823 passengers, much fewer than a full-length Rajdhani. A 24-coach train fits the length of standard long-distance platforms, so Indian Railways can carry around 50% more passengers on each trip without adding a new train path on crowded routes.
Current Vande Bharat Sleeper Trains and Future Plans
India’s first Vande Bharat sleeper train runs between Howrah and Kamakhya, covering about 968 km in around 14 hours. A sleeper service between Bengaluru and Mumbai has also been approved, and Indian Railways plans to have 12 sleeper trains running by March 2027.
Several companies are building sleeper trainsets alongside ICF’s 50 rakes of the 24-coach version. BEML is making 10, Kinet Railway Solutions is making 120 and a Titagarh-BHEL group is making 80. Together, these orders could put more than 200 Vande Bharat sleeper trains on Indian tracks over the coming years.
24-Coach Vande Bharat Sleeper Train: FAQs
When will the 24-coach Vande Bharat sleeper train start?
The first 24-coach Vande Bharat sleeper is expected to start running in the first half of 2027, with June 2027 as the target.
How many berths will the 24-coach Vande Bharat sleeper have?
It will have 1,224 berths, compared with 823 in the current 16-coach version.
Will the 24-coach Vande Bharat sleeper have a pantry car?
Yes. It will have one full AC pantry car, along with mini-pantry areas in different coaches.
Which routes will the 24-coach Vande Bharat sleeper run on?
Routes have not been announced yet. It is expected to run on busy long-distance overnight routes where Rajdhani trains are usually full.
Who is building the 24-coach Vande Bharat sleeper train?
The Integral Coach Factory (ICF) in Chennai is designing and building the train, with 50 rakes planned.