Vande Bharat Sleeper Train Faces Further Delay as Railway Board Identifies Major Issue — Here’s Why

The much-awaited Vande Bharat Sleeper Train, which was earlier expected to debut in October, has hit another roadblock. The Railway Board has raised concerns regarding furnishing quality and safety standards, leading to a delay in its official rollout.

Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw had hinted at an October launch, but with the second rake still under the final stages of manufacturing at BEML, that timeline now seems uncertain. Work on the interiors of the second rake is still underway, while the first one might undergo additional furnishing improvements based on the Board’s latest feedback.

According to reports, the Board has given in-principle approval for operating the 16-coach Vande Bharat Sleeper rake but has asked for several deficiencies to be fixed before commercial services can begin. A detailed note sent to the Research Designs and Standards Organisation (RDSO) and all railway zones mentioned issues such as:

Sharp edges and corners in the berthing area Poorly designed curtain handles near windows “Pigeon pockets” between berth connectors that may create cleaning and maintenance difficulties

Why the Delay?

The delay stems mainly from two factors:

Incomplete interiors of the second rake at BEML. Rectification and renovation work likely to be undertaken on the first rake after the Railway Board’s review.

Commercial operations are expected to begin only once both rakes are fully ready and approved for service.

During recent trial runs, the Chief Commissioner of Railway Safety (CCRS) echoed similar concerns. Following this, RDSO submitted a compliance report to the Board on September 1, 2025, as per a PTI update.

Focus on Safety and Operations

The Ministry of Railways has also issued fresh directives to ensure that the Vande Bharat Sleeper meets top-notch safety and operational standards. These include:

Implementation of fire safety systems Integration of Kavach 4.0, India’s indigenous train collision avoidance system Installation of reliable onboard communication systems connecting loco pilots, train managers, and station masters Maintenance of all brake systems in perfect condition

To further strengthen safety preparedness, loco pilots are now being trained to uncouple the semi-permanent coupler within 15 minutes during emergencies, with all necessary tools included in their kits. Railway zones have also been instructed to ensure the presence of trained technical staff along the route to tackle any operational issues that may arise mid-journey.

Once both rakes clear all tests and upgrades, the Vande Bharat Sleeper is expected to mark a new milestone in Indian Railways—bringing high-speed comfort and overnight travel convenience together for the first time.