Lok Sabha Question No. 1652 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-10
Subject: Vande Bharat Sleeper Trains
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Shri Rajesh Naranbhai Chudasama, Shri Nalin Soren, Shri Darshan Singh Choudhary, Dr. Rajkumar Sangwan, Shri Praveen Patel, Shri Jugal Kishore, Shri Utkarsh Verma Madhur

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1652

TO BE ANSWERED ON 10.12.2025

## VANDE BHARAT SLEEPER TRAINS

## 1652.  SHRI RAJESH NARANBHAI CHUDASAMA:

DR. RAJKUMAR SANGWAN:

SHRI UTKARSH VERMA MADHUR:

SHRI NALIN SOREN:

SHRI JUGAL KISHORE:

SHRI DARSHAN SINGH CHOUDHARY:

SHRI PRAVEEN PATEL:

## Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether the Government is planning to introduce Vande Bharat sleeper trains  in  the  country  and  if  so,  the  details  of  the  proposed  routes  and  the
- timeline for the introduction of these trains;
- (b) the features and advantages of Vande Bharat sleeper trains in comparison to traditional sleeper trains;
- (c)  whether  the  Government  has  conducted  any  feasibility  studies  or  pilot projects for Vande Bharat sleeper trains and if so, the details thereof;
- (d)  the  timeline  for  the  rollout  of  Vande  Bharat  sleeper  trains  for  long distance route in the country, State-wise particularly in Gujarat;
- (e)  the  name  of  Vande  Bharat  trains  currently  passing  through  Baghpat station in Uttar Pradesh and those proposed to be operated in the future and if not, the reasons therefor;
- (f) the current progress on the Mumbai-Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail corridor's revised completion timeline;
- (g) whether any definite time-table has been announced for the commissioning of the Delhi-Varanasi High Speed Rail project;
- (h) the manner in which indigenous signalling and power systems are being integrated into the manufacturing process of Vande Bharat trains;
- (i) the strategy for funding and land acquisition for the three newly approved high speed rail corridors;
- (j) whether the Government proposes to run a bullet train in Uttar Pradesh in the near future and passing through Lakhimpur Kheri and if so, the time by when the said train is likely to be run;
- (k) the current progress regarding completion and timeline of development of railway  stations  under  the  Amrit  Bharat  scheme  in  the  HoshangabadNarsinghpur Lok Sabha constituency; and
- (l)  whether  the  Government  proposes  to  resume  soon  the  operation  of  the trains suspended during the COVID-19 pandemic in the Country particularly trains  passing  through  Dumka  in  Jharkhand  and  Jammu  in  Jammu  and Kashmir; and if so, the details and timeline thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, INFORMATION & BROADCASTING AND ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

## (SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

(a) to (l) At present, 164 Vande Bharat train services having Chair Cars  are operational on the Indian Railways network. Bagpat road is served presently by 28 passenger train services. Besides, introduction of new train services, including  Vande  Bharat  Express  services  and  its  variants,  is  an  ongoing process on Indian Railways  which depends on various factors which include:

- Capacity of that section
- Availability of path
- Availability of required rolling stock
- Availability of matching infrastructure for rolling stock
- Maintenance requirement of railway tracks and other assets

With a view to contain the spread of Covid-19 pandemic, Indian Railways (IR)  had  discontinued  the  operation  of  all  regular  passenger  carrying trains with effect from 23rd March 2020 and only special train services were being operated. Indian Railways also undertook  rationalization of time-table including rationalisation of train services to provide for better passenger safety by creating maintenance corridor blocksand to improve  punctuality.  Since  November-2021,  Express  train  services  are being operated as per rationalized timetable and regular numbers.

Accordingly, Dumka is served by 26 train services while Jammu Tawi is served by 110 train services.

The  daily  average  number  of  train  services  on  the  Indian  Railways services operating  prior  to  Covid-19.  The  daily  average  number  of  Mail/Express services on the Indian Railways network is 2,238 (November  2025) as network  is 11,740 (November  2025) as against 11,283 against 1,768 services operating prior to Covid-19.

## Vande Bharat  Sleeper Trains

To cater to long and medium distance overnight travel, the Sleeper variant of Vande Bharat  train  has  been  indigenously  designed.  Two  such  rakes  have been manufactured and are under trial/commissioning.

Broad  Technological  advancements  and  safety  features  provided  in  Vande Bharat Sleeper Trains are as below.

- Fitted with KAVACH
- Higher acceleration with design/operating speed of 180/160 KMPH
- Crashworthy and Jerk-Free Semi permanent couplers and Anti Climbers
- Crashworthy Design of Carbody complying with EN standards.
- EN-45545 HL3 fire safety standards.
- Fire barrier doors at the end of each coach
- Improved  fire  safety  Aerosol  based  fire  detection  and  suppression system in electrical cabinets and lavatories.
- Regenerative braking system for energy efficiency.
- Air conditioning units provided with indigenously developed UV-C lamp based disinfection system.
- Centrally  controlled  Automatic  Plug  Doors  and  Fully  Sealed  wider gangways
- CCTVs in all coaches.
- Emergency talk-back unit for communication between Passenger and Train Manager/Loco Pilot in case of emergency.
- For Divyangjan passengers special lavatory in the driving coaches on each end.
- Centralized Coach Monitoring System for better condition monitoring of passenger amenities such as Air conditioning, Saloon Lighting etc.
- Ergonomically designed ladder for ease of climbing on to upper berths

Mumbai-Ahmedabad High Speed Rail (MAHSR) Project

The Mumbai-Ahmedabad High Speed Rail (MAHSR) Project (508 km) is under execution with technical and financial assistance from Government  of  Japan.  The  Project  is  passing  through  the  States  of Gujarat, Maharashtra and Union Territory of Dadra & Nagar Haveli with 12  stations  planned  at  Mumbai,  Thane,  Virar,  Boisar,  Vapi,  Billimora, Surat, Bharuch, Vadodara, Anand, Ahmedabad and Sabarmati.

Entire  land  (1389.5  Ha.)  for  MAHSR  project  has  been  acquired.  All Statutory Clearances relating to wildlife, Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) and Forest clearance have been obtained. All the civil contracts of the project have been awarded.

The progress of various major items so far is as under:

| Item               | Progress   | Progress    | Progress   |
|--------------------|------------|-------------|------------|
|                    | Gujarat    | Maharashtra | Total      |
| Foundation         | 352 km     | 62 km       | 414 Km     |
| Piers              | 351 km     | 55 km       | 406 Km     |
| Girder Casting     | 339 km     | 5 km        | 344 km     |
| Girder Launching   | 328 km     | 1 km        | 329 Km     |
| Track installation | 124 Km     |             | 124 Km     |
| OHE mast erection  | 80 km      |             | 80 km      |

Out  of  total  12  stations,  foundation  works  has  been  completed  at  9 stations  (Bhikamkor,  Vapi,  Bilimora,  Surat,  Bharuch, Anand,  Vadodara, Ahmedabad, and Sabarmati). In Maharashtra section, foundation work is in progress at 3 stations (Thane, Virar, Boisar).

Work of the only tunnel in Gujarat has been completed. The work of the under-sea tunnel (21Km approx.) has started. Out of which, 4 km tunnel between Ghansoli and Shilphata in Maharashtra has been completed.

Bullet train project is a very complex and technology intensive Project. Exact  timelines  and  cost  for  the  completion  of  the  project  can  be reasonably ascertained after the completion of all associated works of Civil  Structures, Track, Electrical, Signaling  & Telecommunication and supply of Trainsets.

High  speed  corridor  projects  are  highly  capital  intensive  projects,  the sanction and execution of which depends on feasibility, traffic projections, availability of resources etc.

## Redevelopment of Stations

Ministry of Railways has launched Amrit Bharat Station Scheme  for redevelopment of stations with a long-term approach.

The scheme involves preparation of master plans and their implementation in phases to improve the stations. The master planning includes:

- Improvement of access to station and circulating areas
- Integration of station with both sides of city
- Improvement of station building
- Improvement of waiting halls, toilets, sitting arrangement, water booths
- Provision of wider foot over bridge/air concourse commensurate with passenger traffic
- Provision of lift/escalators/ramp
- Improvement  /Provision  of  platform  surface  and  cover  over platforms
- Provision of kiosks for local products through schemes like 'One Station One Product'
- Parking areas, Multimodal integration
- Amenities for Divyangjans
- Better passenger information systems
- Provision  of  executive  lounges,  nominated  spaces  for  business meetings,  landscaping,  etc.  keeping  in  view  the  necessity  at each station.

The scheme also envisages sustainable and environment friendly solutions, provision of ballastless tracks etc. as per necessity, phasing and feasibility and creation of city centre at the station in the long term. So  far,  1337  stations  have  been  identified  for  development  under  Amrit Bharat Station Scheme, out of which 80 stations are located in the state of Madhya  Pradesh.  The  names  of  stations  identified  for  development  under Amrit Bharat Station Scheme in the state Madhya Pradesh are as following: Akodia, Amla, Anuppur, Ashoknagar, Balaghat, Banapura, Bargawan, Beohari, Berchha,  Betul,  Bhind,  Bhopal,  Bijuri,  Bina,  BiyavraRajgarh,  Chhindwara, Dabra,  Damoh,  Datia,  Dewas,  Gadarwara,  Ganjbasoda,  Ghoradongri,  Guna, Gwalior, Harda, Harpalpur, Indore Jn, Itarsi Jn, Jabalpur, Junnor Deo, Kareli, Katni  Jn,  Katni  Murwara,  Katni  South,  Khachrod,  Khajuraho  Jn,  Khandwa, Khirkiya,  Laxmi  Bai  Nagar,  Maihar,  Maksi  Jn,  Mandla  Fort,  Mandsor,  MCS Chhatarpur, Meghnagar, Morena, Multai, Nagda Jn, Nainpur Jn, Narmadapuram  (Hoshangabad),  Narsinghpur,  Nepanagar,  Nimuch,  Orchha, Pandhurna, Pipariya, Ratlam, Rewa, Ruthiyai, Sanchi, Sant Hirdaram Nagar, Satna, Saugor, Sehore, Seoni, Shahdol, Shajapur, Shamgarh, Sheopur Kalan, Shivpuri,  Shridham,  Shujalpur,  Sihora  Road,  Singrauli,  Tikamgarh,  Ujjain, Umaria, Vidisha, Vikramgarh Alot. Development works at railway stations under Amrit Bharat Station Scheme in the state of Madhya Pradesh have been taken up at a good pace. Till now, works  of  09  stations(Katni  South,  Narmadapuram  (Hoshangabad),  Orchha, Seoni,  Shajapur,  Shridham,  Harpalpur,  Nainpur  Jn.,  Beohari)  have  been completed.  The  works  at  other  stations  have  also  been  taken  up  at  good pace.

Further,  development  /  redevelopment  /  upgradation  /  modernisation  of stations on Indian Railways is a continuous and ongoing process and works in this regard are undertaken as per requirement, subject to inter-se priority and  availability  of  funds.  The  priority  for  development  /  redevelopment  / upgradation  /  modernisation  of  stations  is  accorded  to  higher  category  of station over lower category of station while sanctioning and executing the works.

Development / upgradation / modernisation of stations including under Amrit Bharat  Station  Scheme  is  generally  funded  under  Plan  Head-53  'Customer Amenities'. The details of allocation and expenditure under Plan Head-53 are maintained Zonal Railway-wise and not work-wise, or station-wise or statewise.

The  state  of  Madhya  Pradesh  is  covered  under  the  jurisdiction  of  seven railway zones, namely, Central Railway, East Central Railway, North Central Railway,  South  Central Railway,  South  East  Central  Railway,  Western Railway and West Central Railway. For these zones, an allocation of ₹ 5,566 crore  has  been  made  for  the  financial  year  2025-26,  out  of  which  an expenditure (up to October, 2025) of ₹ 3,500 crore has been incurred so far.

Development / Upgradation of railway stations is complex in nature involving safety of passengers & trains and requires various statutory clearances such as fire clearance, heritage, tree cutting, airport clearance etc. The progress also  gets affected due  to brownfield related challenges such as shifting of utilities  (involving  water/sewage  lines,  optical  fibre  cables,  gas  pipe  lines, power/signal cables, etc.), infringements, operation of trains without hindering passenger movement, speed restrictions due to works carried out in  close  proximity  of  tracks  and  high  voltage  power  lines,  etc.  and  these factors affect the completion time. Therefore, no time frame can be indicated at this stage.

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