The Indian railway system is on the brink of a massive change with the development of the Vande Bharat sleeper trains. Designed to increase passenger comfort and efficiency, the first prototype of these sleeper trains has been produced and is expected to go for field trials soon. This marks a major milestone in India’s push to modernize its rail infrastructure with faster, safer, and more comfortable travel options for long and medium-distance journeys.
What are Vande Bharat Sleeper Trains?
The Vande Bharat sleeper trains are a newly introduced train class, mainly for long-haul routes and medium-distance routes. They focus on a better travel experience with advanced features and modern amenities. The prime target is comfort, speed, and energy efficiency, making the right choice for passengers to reach their destination smoothly and safely.
Rail Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said that the first prototype is in production and that successful field trials will decide the date for the official roll-out. The sleeper trains are designed to supplement the popular Vande Bharat Express services, which have been well-received due to their speed and convenience.
Key Features of Vande Bharat Sleeper Trains
A myriad of advanced technologies and safety features associated with the Vande Bharat sleeper trains are bound to change the Indian landscape of train travel. Some of these features include:
Kavach Automatic Train Protection System: This will add a new dimension to safety as the corrective action will automatically be taken in case a collision is perceived. It provides safety protection during a journey.
Fire Safety Compliance: The train is designed with the latest fire safety standards to ensure maximum safety for passengers.
Crashworthy Semi-Permanent Couplers: These couplers help in improving safety in cases of train collision by enhancing structural integrity of the trains.
Regenerative Braking System: This system will reduce the consumption of the train by converting braking energy into electrical energy, hence, it will be more environmentally friendly and cost-effective.
This aims to provide quicker acceleration and deceleration, and improve average speed and efficiency of service.
These features, alongside the Vande Bharat sleeper trains, are likely to give a new experience in traveling long distances in train in India, same as international standards.
Vande Bharat Express: Covering All of India
The Vande Bharat Express has chair-car coaches and is an express train running at full speed. Already, 136 services of the Vande Bharat Express are operational; out of these, 16 are for stations in Tamil Nadu. The most extensive route that the Vande Bharat Express runs over is from Delhi to Varanasi, which is of 771 kilometers.
This is also likely to be stretched with Vande Bharat sleeper trains as it would carry more passengers to a greater distance. The ever-increasing demand of the Indian Railways for fast, safe, and comfortable travel can be satisfied by continuously expanding the services of Vande Bharat.
It is high time that Indian Railways gets a game-changer in the form of the new Vande Bharat sleeper trains. These are indeed trains that will transform long distance travels by offering the following.
1. Increased Passenger Comfort
There will be also higher comfort for traveling on longer routes; this shall include upgradation in the sitting and sleeping facility in addition to the onboard facilities. That shall augment the comfort factor and convenient overnight traveling such that the air travel services shall need to catch up as well.
2. Energy Efficiency
The regenerative braking and other energy-saving features do make the trains more ecologically friendly, and in the long run, it will help meet the sustainability targets of Indian Railways. It will have energy efficiency design; thus, reducing operations costs, and it will benefit the environment due to reduced carbon emissions.
3. Improved Speed and Efficiency
These will be faster due to higher acceleration and braking powers; thus, people could travel on a sleeper at a high speed over an extended distance, making train traveling an excellent alternative to air transport for a medium-to-long distance journey.
4. Safety and Security
The Kavach automatic train protection system along with crashworthy couplers has been incorporated for safety of passengers.
Conclusion
Vande Bharat sleeper trains will revolutionize the face of long-distance travel in India. The advanced safety, energy efficiency, and enhanced passenger comfort featured in these trains will transform the way people travel across the country. With the first prototype ready for field trials, train travel in India has never been brighter, promising seamless, comfortable, and an eco-friendly travel option for millions.
Refer :
Financial Express, Link to article
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