Two Vande Bharat sleeper trains have been returned to BEML’s Bengaluru unit for rectification because of ongoing quality concerns.
The first sleeper rake, which completed its oscillation trials in January, has arrived at the BEML facility for repair work.
Vande Bharat Sleeper Trains Sent Back to BEML for Quality Fixes
The second rake, which recently concluded 180 kmph trials, is also being sent back to Bengaluru for pending tasks.
The sleeper version has repeatedly faced delays and has missed its initial December 2024 passenger-service deadline.
Both rakes will now undergo additional repairs and pending tasks at BEML, pushing their deployment even further.
A source stated, “While the first rake has quality issues, the second rake has pending works to be completed.”
Earlier reports confirmed the first rake had quality concerns flagged by the Integral Coach Factory (ICF) in Chennai.
Nearly a year after its unveiling, the first sleeper train still has not begun carrying passengers.
ICF general manager U Subba Rao confirmed that both rakes require interior improvements and have therefore been returned.
Rao explained, “For the first rake, there were some minor issues to be attended to… Only a few interior issues remain.”
He added that the second rake also had unresolved interior design problems, saying improvements such as curtain-fitting changes were still pending.
BEML has not provided any comment on the situation.
The first sleeper rake uses the same propulsion system as the Medha-designed chair car and successfully completed 180 kmph oscillation tests.
Despite passing trials, the launch has been delayed due to interior-related quality issues.
ICF previously identified 106 deficiencies for BEML to fix, involving panels, alarms, pantry systems, toilets, and HVAC components.
A source noted that most issues were handled, but panel and toilet-related problems remain unresolved.
The first rake had been idle for over six months at a Northern Railway depot before being sent back for rework.
The second rake is also returning to BEML after its oscillation trials to complete remaining tasks.
With both rakes back at the factory, commercial operations are likely postponed until next year.
ICF Flags Critical Flaws in Second Vande Bharat Sleeper Rake
During inspection, ICF sent BEML a letter listing several flaws in the second rake that required immediate fixing.
ICF also demanded that BEML apply corrections to future rakes and provide all testing certificates without delay.
An official stated, “The deficiencies need to be addressed urgently, as they directly impact the validation and rollout of the new Vande Bharat sleeper service.”
ICF officials believe many issues stemmed from rushed assembly and weak quality checks when BEML hurried to showcase the prototype.
Railways and ICF want lessons from the first rake to guide other manufacturers—Kinet and Titagarh-BHEL—before their prototypes are released.
In March 2024, the Railway Minister announced the sleeper train would launch within six months.
He unveiled the prototype on September 1, 2024, promising operations within three months of trial completion.
ICF ordered ten 16-coach Vande Bharat sleeper rakes from BEML in May 2023.
These trains are designed for 160 kmph operations and 180 kmph test runs.
Each rake will have 823 berths in 1AC, 2AC, and 3AC configurations.
