Indian Railways is set to revolutionize long-distance travel with the launch of the Vande Bharat Sleeper Trains, under a massive ₹24,000 crore contract awarded to Titagarh Rail Systems Limited (TRSL) and Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL). As part of the ‘Make in India’ initiative, these trains will feature India’s first fully indigenous, semi-high-speed, long-distance sleeper design. They promise smart onboard amenities, energy-efficient operations, and state-of-the-art safety features. Production has already begun at TRSL’s dedicated facility in Uttarpara, West Bengal, with prototypes expected soon.
Vande Bharat Sleeper: Redefining Overnight Travel from Sealdah to Bhubaneswar
A key development in this rollout is the upcoming Sealdah-New Delhi Vande Bharat Sleeper service, which aims to cover 1455 km in just 15 hours—outperforming premium trains like Rajdhani and Duronto Express. The 16-coach train will include 11 AC 3-tier, 4 AC 2-tier, and 1 First Class AC coach, with fares ranging from ₹3200 to ₹5300. The scheduled departure is 4 PM from both ends, reaching the destination by 7 AM the next day, redefining overnight rail journeys in India.
Given the scale of production in West Bengal, speculation is rising about a similar Vande Bharat Sleeper service on the Bhubaneswar-New Delhi route. Currently, this 1730 km journey takes 24–30 hours, with trains averaging 58–72 kmph. A Vande Bharat Sleeper could potentially cut travel time to 17 hours by operating at around 102 kmph with limited halts. The train would likely mirror the Sealdah model in coach composition and amenities.
Bhubaneswar Poised to Join India’s High-Speed Rail Network
The proposed Bhubaneswar-New Delhi service would benefit students, professionals, tourists, and increasingly, business travellers. Though not officially confirmed, growing infrastructure, regional manufacturing capabilities, and rising demand indicate that Odisha may soon be part of India’s high-speed rail revolution.
Summary:
Indian Railways is launching Vande Bharat Sleeper Trains under a ₹24,000 crore contract, featuring semi-high-speed, fully indigenous designs. The Sealdah-New Delhi route will lead this rollout, with future prospects including Bhubaneswar. These trains promise faster, comfortable overnight travel with modern amenities, transforming long-distance rail journeys across India.
