Vande Bharat Sleeper: Launch Delayed to March 2026

Vande Bharat Sleeper production faces a 9-month delay, with initial prototypes now expected in March 2026. This was reported by the railway transport news portal Railway Supply

The launch of the eagerly awaited Vande Bharat sleeper train has hit a snag. The consortium of Titagarh Rail Systems and BHEL Ltd has shifted the timeline from July 2025 to March 2026 due to changing railway demands.

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Initially planned with 16 coaches at ₹120 crore each, the design was debated for an increase to 24 coaches, raising costs. Ultimately, the original plan was retained.

Vande Bharat Sleeper: New Timeline and Configuration

Delivery of the first prototype, initially set for June 2025, is now slated for March 2026. “This adds 9 months to the preparation,” a railway official stated. Signed in June 2023, the contract mandates two prototypes: the first within 33 months, the second 60 days later.

Umesh Chowdhary of Titagarh Rail Systems confirmed work is in full swing. Early trains will stick to 16 coaches, with a potential shift to 24 via a 30% optional clause.

Contract and Delays

The consortium is tasked with building 80 sleeper trains over six years: 8 in the first year, 12 in the second, then 20 annually. Each train costs ₹120 crore, below the initial ₹140 crore bid.

Delays stem from fluctuating requirements—in May 2024, railways pushed for 24 coaches but reverted to 16. “There’s no commercial loss,” Chowdhary noted. Another batch of 120 trains (TMH – RVNL) also faces setbacks due to contract revisions.

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