Indian Railways to launch first Vande Bharat Sleeper Express connecting Delhi and Patna

New Delhi: Ahead of the Bihar Assembly elections, slated towards the end of this year, Indian Railways is planning to launch its first Vande Bharat Sleeper Express, which is expected to connect Delhi and Patna via Prayagraj. 

The current Bihar Assembly's term will end on November 22, and the Election Commission of India is required to complete the election process before that date. The polls are likely to be held in or before mid-November. 

The train, which reportedly provides a more comfortable journey to passengers with modern amenities and is designed for overnight journeys, is expected to be launched during Deepavali as a festival gift to the poll-bound state, said sources. 

The train will reportedly cover the distance between Delhi and Patna via Prayagraj in 11.5 hours, said sources, while the Rajdhani Express on the same route takes nearly 23 hours. 

BEML is manufacturing the first prototype of the Vande Bharat Sleeper train set. The sleeper version of the train will reportedly offer superior features compared to current premium overnight travel options like the Rajdhani Express or the Tejas Express.

The Vande Bharat Sleeper Express is also expected to boast a top speed of 180 km per hour.

The Vande Bharat Sleeper trains will have 16 coaches, including 11 AC 3-tier coaches, four AC 2-tier coaches, and one AC 1st-Class coach.

These trains will reportedly have sensor-based inter-communication doors, noise-insulation and mitigation measures for a silent saloon space, special berths and toilets for the differently-abled, and automatic entry-and-exit passenger doors.