Indian Railways is currently conducting a feasibility study to increase the capacity of nine Vande Bharat Express services by expanding them from 20 coaches to 24 coaches. The Railway Board initiated this assessment around August 10, 2026, to address high passenger demand and optimize infrastructure readiness across various zones. Key highlights of this expansion plan include:
- Feasibility study initiated for nine high-demand Vande Bharat routes.
- Focus on infrastructure, including platform lengths and maintenance facility upgrades.
- Capacity boost: A 24-coach Vande Bharat sleeper train will offer 1,224 berths.
- Strategic routes: Includes services between New Delhi-Varanasi, New Delhi-Katra, and Ayodhya-Anand Vihar.
- Prototype rollout: The 24-coach sleeper version is expected by the end of 2026.
Meeting Rising Passenger Demand
This strategic move comes in response to the consistently high occupancy rates, often exceeding 105%, observed across the Vande Bharat network. By transitioning to 24-coach configurations, the railways aim to significantly increase passenger capacity, particularly for long-distance and overnight travel. The proposed 24-coach sleeper design is set to be a major upgrade, featuring 17 AC three-tier, five AC two-tier, one AC first-class, and one AC pantry coach, providing 401 more berths than the standard 16-coach model.
Infrastructure and Operational Readiness
Zonal Railways are currently evaluating technical and commercial feasibility. The Lucknow Division, for instance, is scrutinizing the Varanasi-New Delhi route—India’s first Vande Bharat service—to ensure it can accommodate the longer rakes. This follows recent efforts to optimize services, such as South Western Railway’s field trials in the Sakleshpur-Subrahmanya Road ghat section and plans for 16-coach sleeper trains on the Bengaluru-Mumbai route.
As Indian Railways continues to modernize, the transition from 8-coach to 16-coach and 16-coach to 20-coach rakes on several high-traffic corridors remains a top priority. The final decision on the 24-coach upgrades will be finalized once the respective Zonal Railways submit their comprehensive reports to the Railway Board, ensuring that passenger comfort and operational efficiency remain at the forefront of these infrastructure enhancements.