The Indian Railways is preparing for a major milestone with the launch of its first-ever Vande Bharat sleeper train, and Kerala is all set to be the proud pioneer. The train will operate on the Thiruvananthapuram–Mangaluru route, signalling a major leap in the modernisation of long-distance rail travel.
Designed to offer a blend of speed, comfort, and convenience, the new service is expected to redefine the overnight travel experience for passengers across India.
Launched under the Northern Railway zone, the Vande Bharat Sleeper service is part of a broader effort to transform India’s rail network, with a special focus on enhancing passenger amenities and operational efficiency.
Apart from the Thiruvananthapuram–Mangaluru connection, the government is planning to introduce additional sleeper services on routes such as Thiruvananthapuram–Bengaluru and Kanyakumari–Srinagar, thereby strengthening the country's high-speed overnight connectivity.
The Vande Bharat Sleeper trains promise a host of modern features designed to elevate the passenger experience. Coaches will be equipped with ergonomically designed berths to ensure better sleeping comfort, improved LED lighting systems, and GPS-enabled displays offering real-time updates on travel progress. Accessibility has been prioritised with the introduction of specially designed berths and toilets for persons with disabilities, making overnight rail travel more inclusive.
Other amenities include automatic doors for added convenience, a modular pantry for better food service, and the Kavach system, an indigenous safety technology aimed at preventing collisions. These enhancements are intended to offer passengers a journey that is not only faster but also significantly safer and more comfortable.
While the chair car versions of the Vande Bharat trains have already gained popularity on various shorter routes, Indian Railways is now pushing forward with the rollout of sleeper variants. Sixteen existing chair car services are set to be converted into sleeper trains using ten available rakes.
Additionally, the Integral Coach Factory (ICF) has been assigned the task of manufacturing fifty new sleeper trains, in addition to ten that are already in development.
About 50 of these new-generation trains are expected to become fully operational between 2026 and 2027.
