24-Coach Vande Bharat Sleeper Train: ICF Prototype, Pantry Car & New Maintenance Depots
After rolling out the 16-coach Vande Bharat Sleeper on the Howrah–Kamakhya route, Indian Railways is now developing a larger 24-coach Vande Bharat Sleeper variant. Built for 160 kmph operation (180 kmph testing speed), this full-length overnight train will maximize passenger capacity on congested trunk routes while addressing the low occupancy seen in nearly 30% of daytime chair-car services.
Design Timeline, Production & Key Features
The Integral Coach Factory (ICF) in Chennai will manufacture 50 rakes of the 24-coach Vande Bharat Sleeper train. ICF will finalize the design by November 10, 2026, and roll out the first prototype for trials by May or June 2027, with propulsion systems supplied by Medha Servo Drives (33 rakes) and Alstom (17 rakes).
Dedicated Pantry Car: Unlike the 16-coach version, the 24-coach train adds a full-fledged pantry car to prepare and serve hot meals onboard.
Higher Capacity: The longer rake will offer over 1,400 berths (across AC 3-Tier, AC 2-Tier, and First AC) along with more bio-vacuum toilets.
Safety & Comfort: Trains will feature KAVACH anti-collision protection, regenerative braking, ergonomic cushioned berths, automatic doors, sealed gangways, and hot-water showers in First AC.
Where Are the 24-Coach Maintenance Sheds Being Built?
In Gujarat, Western Railway is building a ₹307 crore maintenance hub at Sabarmati (Ahmedabad) for 24-coach Vande Bharat trains. Its 322-metre heavy repair shed is nearly complete with two maintenance lines (equipped with synchronized pit jacks for coach lifting and interior/electrical repairs), a CNC wheel care shed, a section shed for traction motor and transformer overhauls, and four stabling lines (2,547 metres). It will complete SS-I maintenance in 30 days (12 rakes/year) and SS-II overhauls in 45 days (8 rakes/year).
Meanwhile, India's first dedicated Vande Bharat Sleeper depot is coming up at Bhagat Ki Kothi in Jodhpur (Rajasthan) at a cost of ₹360 crore. Built around a 600-metre track for 24-coach rakes, it features three pit lines, a drop pit table, and a ₹55 crore simulator center to service 8 to 9 trains daily. Four more sleeper depots are also being built at Bijwasan (Delhi), Anand Vihar (Delhi), Thanisandra (Bengaluru), and Wadi Bunder (Mumbai).
Kinet & Titagarh–BHEL Update
Alongside ICF's 24-coach project, Kinet Railway Solutions (building 120 sleeper rakes in Latur) targets its first 16-coach prototype by March 2027, while the Titagarh–BHEL consortium (building 80 rakes, prototype in Q3 FY27) recently formed a 50:50 joint venture in Delhi for 35-year fleet maintenance. With the 24-coach design finalizing in November 2026 and dedicated 600-metre depots nearing readiness, Indian Railways is gearing up for next-generation overnight travel.
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