Indian Railways is all set to transform overnight travel between Delhi and Patna with the launch of the country’s first Vande Bharat Sleeper train.
Combining the speed of Tejas, the comfort of Rajdhani, and the advanced technology of Vande Bharat, this premium sleeper service is expected to start by the end of December.
This move promises a major upgrade for passengers traveling overnight between North India and Bihar’s capital.
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Final Preparations for the Launch
One of the two Vande Bharat Sleeper rakes, being built at Bharat Earth Movers Limited (BEML) in Bengaluru, is already completed.
It is scheduled to be handed over to Indian Railways on December 12 for trial runs on the Delhi–Patna route.
Railway officials have confirmed that final preparations at the Danapur division are underway, with all technical clearances being fast-tracked to meet the targeted launch timeline.
Coach Details and Passenger Capacity
The train will feature 16 modern coaches with a total of 827 berths, divided as follows:
Third AC: 611 berths
Second AC: 188 berths
First AC: 24 berths
The rake is also designed to be scalable. If demand increases, the number of coaches can be expanded to 24 in the future.
Comfort and Safety Features
The Vande Bharat Sleeper focuses on passenger comfort with features like:
Automatic sliding doors
Bio-vacuum toilets
CCTV surveillance
Individual reading lights
Premium interiors
For safety, the train will operate at a maximum speed of 160 kmph and will include the indigenous Kavach safety system along with a crash-resistant structure.
Likely Schedule on the Delhi–Patna Route
The train is expected to follow a schedule similar to the New Delhi–Rajendra Nagar Tejas Rajdhani Express.
It will likely run six days a week, departing from Rajendra Nagar Terminal in the evening and reaching Delhi the next morning.
The return journey will follow a similar overnight schedule.
A Game-Changer for Delhi–Bihar Travel
Once operational, the Vande Bharat Sleeper is expected to improve travel for business travellers, students, migrants, and families commuting frequently between Delhi and Bihar.
With faster speeds, better punctuality, and hotel-like overnight comfort, it could redefine long-distance rail travel on this busy corridor.