Kerala likely to receive Vande Sleeper train

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Kerala is likely to receive the new Vande Sleeper train, a fresh initiative from Indian Railways. The first batch of Vande Sleeper trains is expected to be launched by mid-year, with ten trains being manufactured initially. The first allotment will be to North India, and the second is under consideration for Kerala, according to Union Minister of State for Railways V. Somanna. The Thiruvananthapuram–Mangaluru route is being proposed for this service.

Kerala has shown the highest acceptance for the premium Vande Bharat trains in the country, which is a key reason the state is being prioritised for Vande Sleeper services as well. There's also a possibility of a service on the highly crowded Bengaluru–Ernakulam route. The Chennai–Hyderabad corridor is also under consideration. Ten Vande Sleeper trains are set to be rolled out this year, with 50 more planned for next year.

The Vande Sleeper, which will have 16 coaches, is designed by the Integral Coach Factory (ICF) in Chennai and manufactured by Bharat Earth Movers Limited (BEML). The fully air-conditioned train will accommodate 1,128 passengers and comes with a host of modern features, such as special lighting for reading, GPS-enabled LED display systems, modular pantry, automatic doors and Kavach anti-collision safety technology.. Additionally, berths and restrooms will be specially designed for passengers with special needs, ensuring accessibility and comfort.