Indian Railways Boosts Sleeper Capacity for Diwali Rush
Indian Railways increases sleeper coach capacity for Diwali and Chhath Puja. Get details on new coach changes and Vande Bharat sleeper updates.
To manage the massive surge in passenger demand during the upcoming Diwali and Chhath Puja festival season, Indian Railways has announced a strategic increase in sleeper class capacity across several key routes.
In a move to accommodate the holiday rush, railway authorities have replaced several AC three-tier economy coaches with sleeper class coaches in four specific trains. This adjustment aims to provide more affordable travel options for passengers heading home for the festivities.
Immediate Festive Coach Adjustments
The modifications to train compositions have been rolled out across different dates to ensure smooth operations during the peak travel period:
- Jhansi-Bandra Terminus: Adjustments were implemented on October 19.
- Gwalior-Gandhinagar Express: Changes became effective on October 21.
- Jhansi-Bandra Special: Modifications took effect on October 22.
- Special Train: A specific special train underwent modifications on October 22.
- Jhansi-Kolkata Express: The transition was completed on October 23, 2026.
The Vande Bharat Sleeper Revolution
Beyond these immediate festive measures, the national carrier is advancing its long-term modernization efforts. The Railway Minister recently informed the Lok Sabha that the government is in the process of manufacturing 260 Vande Bharat sleeper train sets.
Manish Agarwal, the General Manager of the Chennai-based Integral Coach Factory (ICF), confirmed that the production drawings for the 24-coach Vande Bharat sleeper sets are now complete. The manufacturing responsibilities are being shared among several major entities:
- Bharat Earth Movers Limited (BEML)
- ICF Chennai
- Kinet (a joint Indo-Russian venture)
- A consortium consisting of Titagarh and BHEL
New Mumbai-Bengaluru Vande Bharat Sleeper Route
Travelers can also look forward to the launch of the country's second Vande Bharat sleeper service, which is expected to commence operations between Mumbai and Bengaluru on November 1, 2026. ICF Chennai has been tasked with producing 50 of these 24-coach trainsets.
Each of these advanced 24-coach sets is expected to feature a premium mix of coaches, including:
- 17 AC three-tier coaches
- 5 AC two-tier coaches
- 1 AC first-class coach
- 1 pantry car
High Demand Drives Sleeper Revenue
The focus on sleeper capacity is backed by significant usage trends. In the 2025-26 fiscal year, non-AC sleeper coaches were utilized by a staggering 37.16 crore passengers, generating total revenues exceeding ₹74,072 crore.