Vande Bharat Sleeper Train Launch Pushed to 2027 Amid Technical Hurdles
NEW DELHI: The ambitious project to introduce Vande Bharat sleeper trains, powered by Russian technology, has hit a major speed bump. According to the latest reports, the rollout of the inaugural prototype has been delayed by another six months, with Indian Railways now targeting a launch in March 2027.
The project, spearheaded by Kinet Railway Solutions—a joint venture between the Russian rolling stock giant TMH and the state-run Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL)—was initially slated for a June rollout. Following an initial setback, that deadline was pushed to September, and the latest deferral signals deepening concerns regarding the project’s timeline and technical compliance.
Technical Roadblocks Delaying Progress
At the heart of the delay are persistent issues surrounding the manufacturing of the 16-coach trainsets. Sources indicate that the project has stalled due to unresolved technical disagreements regarding critical components and sub-components. Specifically, railway officials have flagged design and performance concerns related to the mini-pantry, interior berths, ladder systems, traction motors, converters, and advanced braking mechanisms.
While Kinet Railway Solutions has reportedly submitted various design proposals to address these shortcomings, Indian Railways has raised formal observations on several of them. The inability of the consortium to clear these technical hurdles to the satisfaction of the national transporter remains the primary reason for the stagnant progress.
Financial and Contractual Implications
The contract for the 120 Vande Bharat sleeper trainsets, valued at a massive Rs 14,400 crore, is a flagship initiative intended to transform long-distance rail travel in India. Under the terms of the agreement, Kinet is tasked with delivering a fleet comprising 1,920 coaches in total, with each 16-coach trainset designed to accommodate 823 passengers.
Given the repeated failures to meet production milestones, the consortium now faces the possibility of financial penalties. While the firm successfully cleared the preliminary design approval stage earlier, it still requires several critical clearances for full-scale manufacturing and final certification. Officials familiar with the matter have hinted that the Railways is adopting a stricter stance and is unlikely to provide further extensions or relaxations, putting the consortium under significant pressure to rectify the outstanding issues.
Silence from Stakeholders
As the frustration grows over the timeline of this flagship project, both the Railway Ministry and the manufacturer have maintained a cautious silence. When reached for comment, the Ministry of Railways did not offer an update on the current status of the sleeper train initiative, and representatives from Kinet Railway Solutions declined to provide a statement regarding the ongoing delays.
As the new March 2027 deadline approaches, the pressure is mounting on the joint venture to prove its technical capability. For the Indian public, which has eagerly awaited the introduction of a premium, high-speed sleeper travel experience to match the success of the chair-car Vande Bharat trains, the wait is set to be significantly longer than anticipated. The success of this project remains crucial for the modernization of the nation’s long-distance rail network.
Disclaimer: This content is auto-generated for informational purposes only.
Source: Read Original News
