RVNL sets March 2027 deadline for first Vande Bharat sleeper prototype rollout
The much-awaited Vande Bharat Sleeper train project has received a revised timeline with the first prototype now scheduled to roll out by March 31, 2027. Rail travellers and railway enthusiasts looking forward to overnight semi-high-speed journeys can expect world-class amenities once these rakes hit the tracks. Here are the key highlights of the announcement:
- First Vande Bharat sleeper prototype will roll out from the Marathwada Rail Coach Factory in Latur by March 31, 2027.
- The project is executed by Kinet Railway Solutions Ltd., an Indo-Russian joint venture between RVNL and Transmashholding (TMH).
- The massive contract involves producing 120 Vande Bharat Sleeper trainsets comprising 1,920 coaches in total.
- The total project value is approximately ₹14,400 crore, which also includes a 35-year maintenance commitment.
Manufacturing Progress and International Recognition
Manufacturing work is currently progressing at a steady pace at the Latur facility. The progress is being driven by a close collaboration between Indian teams and over 30 Russian specialists working on-site. To ensure world-class manufacturing standards, more than 40 employees from the Latur site have already completed specialized technical training in Russia. Demonstrating its world-class engineering and visual appeal, the innovative Vande Bharat Sleeper design has already been honored with the prestigious Red Dot Award 2026 for its exterior styling.
Broader Rollout Across Indian Railways
This crucial manufacturing milestone forms an integral part of a much larger modernization strategy by Indian Railways, which aims to introduce a total of 260 Vande Bharat Sleeper rakes across the network. Besides the RVNL-TMH joint venture, other prominent manufacturing partners including BEML and a consortium of Titagarh Rail Systems and BHEL are actively participating in this ambitious national program. Once the Latur facility completes the initial prototype by the updated deadline of March 31, 2027, the trainsets will undergo extensive and rigorous testing and trials to ensure passenger safety and comfort before entering regular commercial service.