Indian Railways is preparing to roll out the country’s first Vande Bharat Sleeper Express, an overnight semi-high-speed service linking Delhi and Patna, by the end of September or early October. The service, which may be extended to Darbhanga or Sitamarhi, is timed to coincide with the surge in festive travel during Diwali and Chhath Puja, as well as the Bihar Assembly elections.

The new train promises to cut the arduous Delhi-Patna journey to nearly half, with travel time expected to be 11.5 hours compared with over 23 hours on the Rajdhani Express. Officials said the sleeper variant will significantly ease congestion on one of the busiest routes, giving passengers a modern, faster and safer option.

Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw had announced the project last month, underscoring its potential to redefine long-distance train travel. Designed with overnight comfort in mind, the train can run at speeds of up to 180 km/h and is fitted with driver cabins at both ends to eliminate turnaround delays. Safety features include anti-collision technology, crash-resistant coaches, CCTV surveillance and advanced fire standards.

The interiors have been modelled on aircraft cabins, offering ergonomic sleeper berths, soft ambient lighting, bio-toilets, sensor-operated automatic doors and LED passenger information displays. Ticket prices are likely to be 10–15 per cent higher than base fares of existing services.

Design and development

The Vande Bharat Sleeper coaches have been designed and manufactured by the Integral Coach Factory (ICF) in Chennai, the production hub that has led India’s push towards modern rolling stock. The project builds on the success of the chair car variants of the Vande Bharat Express, first launched in 2019.

The decision to develop a sleeper version emerged from persistent passenger demand for faster overnight travel on long routes. While the chair car variant revolutionised day journeys, particularly on medium-distance corridors, it left a gap for longer overnight trips. The sleeper variant, railway planners said, was conceived to address that demand.

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ICF engineers have incorporated lessons from the earlier Vande Bharat models. The crashworthy design, for instance, is inspired by European standards, while the interiors are tailored for Indian conditions, balancing efficiency with comfort. Officials also pointed out that the coaches have been tested under rigorous safety conditions, including fire and collision resistance.

Interesting facts

• The Delhi–Patna Vande Bharat Sleeper will be the fastest overnight train service in eastern India, clocking nearly double the speed of existing express services.
• Coaches have been designed to reduce noise and vibration, making overnight rest more comfortable compared with conventional trains.
• This is the first Indian train with sleeper berths that combine the speed of semi-high-speed rail and overnight convenience, positioning it as a hybrid between Rajdhani and Shatabdi categories.
• Each coach is fitted with modern surveillance systems, and passenger safety has been prioritised with energy-absorbing crumple zones.

Indian Railways has indicated that the Delhi-Patna launch is only the beginning. The sleeper variant is expected to be extended to other high-demand routes, with reports suggesting possible services between Delhi–Mumbai and Delhi–Howrah in future phases. Advance bookings will open once the final schedule is confirmed.

Officials believe the sleeper train could be a game-changer, particularly during peak seasons when millions travel between the national capital and Bihar. With its combination of speed, safety and comfort, the Vande Bharat Sleeper is being positioned as the future of overnight train travel in India.