This is how Vande Bharat's sleeper coach will look like
What's the story
Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has unveiled the prototype of the Vande Bharat sleeper coach.
The event took place at BEML's facility, where Vaishnaw also laid the foundation stone for a new manufacturing unit dedicated to Vande Bharat.
He highlighted that this train is designed with modern technology, safety features, and special facilities for loco pilots and service staff.
Testing phase
Sleeper coach to undergo rigorous testing
The prototype of the Vande Bharat sleeper coach "will undergo rigorous trials and tests in 10 days before rolling it out on the track for further testing," Vaishnaw said, according to PTI.
He emphasized that this train is a means of transport for middle-class people, so its fare will be affordable.
Vaishnaw also inaugurated a new hangar for standard and broad gage rolling stock manufacturing at BEML in Bengaluru.
Safety features
A benchmark in safety and design
The Vande Bharat sleeper coach is equipped with numerous safety features and innovative design elements.
Vaishnaw stated, "There are a lot of safety features on this train. Also, a lot of innovations have been made in design."
He further added that "a separate cabin has been made for the maintenance staff" and that "this train can be compared with the best trains in the world" due to its advanced features.
Aspirational symbol
Vande Bharat will revolutionize travels
Vaishnaw expressed his belief that the Vande Bharat chair-car, Vande Metro, Vande Sleeper, and Amrit Bharat will revolutionize how people travel in India.
He said, "These projects reflect the aspirational India under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi."
The minister also interacted with trainees as well as staff at the Multi-disciplinary Divisional Training Institute (MDDTI), Bengaluru (Railway Training Centre) following the program at BEML.
Advanced features
Sleeper coach bears stainless-steel construction, crashworthy elements
The Vande Bharat Sleeper trainset features stainless-steel construction and advanced crashworthy elements like crash buffers and couplers to maximize passenger safety.
The trainset meets the highest fire safety standards, complying with the stringent EN45545 HL3 grade requirements.
It comprises 16 coaches which include 11 AC three-tier, four AC two-tier, and one AC first-class coach. The trainset will run at 160km/h.