Vande Bharat Sleeper Trains Launch Confirmed by October 15

Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw confirmed the launch of Vande Bharat sleeper trains will be dependent on the arrival of the second train, anticipated around October 15, 2025. One train, already ready at the Shakur Basti Coaching Depot in Delhi, has finished all necessary trials and testing. Both trains will be launched simultaneously to ensure seamless service across the routes.

During a media briefing, Vaishnaw stated, “We are committed to launching both trains together. The second rake is essential for maintaining regular service continuity.” Ensuring operational efficiency stands as a priority for the Railway Ministry.

While specific routes remain unconfirmed, speculations suggest potential launches between New Delhi and Patna, especially as Bihar faces a significant electoral season towards the year’s end.

Vaishnaw, alongside Minister of State for Railways Ravneet Singh Bittu, detailed the status of several railway infrastructural projects aimed at enhancing connectivity within Punjab. Highlights include the upcoming 18-kilometre Rajpura-Mohali line, designed to connect Rajpura directly with Chandigarh. This initiative is expected to reduce travel distances by approximately 66 kilometres, significantly alleviating traffic on the existing Rajpura-Ambala route.

The Ministry also proposed a new Vande Bharat train that will connect New Delhi and Firozpur Cantonment, passing through key locations such as Faridkot, Bhatinda (W), Dhuri, Patiala, Ambala Cantonment, Kurukshetra, and Panipat. Vaishnaw noted that this train will cover a distance of 486 kilometres expected in about 6 hours and 40 minutes.

He said, “I will request the Prime Minister for approval regarding the Firozpur-Delhi Vande Bharat train.” This train marks an important addition to the Railway Ministry’s ongoing upgrades and enhancements.

During the briefing, ministers presented nine significant railway projects initiated since 2014, showcasing advancements in infrastructure worth several hundred crores. Key projects include the newly established Nangal Dam-Daulat Pur Chowk line, doubling initiatives across various lines, and other enhancements designed to streamline rail operations in the Punjab region.

Recent announcements included seven ongoing railway projects set to unfold across Punjab, with a total investment amounting to over Rs 10,000 crore. These projects aim to reduce congestion while enhancing connectivity significantly.

Additionally, Vaishnaw stated that 30 railway stations will undergo redevelopment under the Amrit Bharat station redevelopment scheme, focusing on modernizing facilities for passengers. He conveyed the ministry’s commitment to optimizing railway operations, noting that 29 rail divisions had achieved over 90 percent punctuality, including regions like Malda, Mysore, Sialdah, Nagpur, and Thiruvananthapuram.