New Delhi, Dec 31: Indian Railways has successfully completed the final high-speed safety trial of the indigenously developed Vande Bharat sleeper train, with the train achieving a top speed of 180 kmph during testing on the Kota–Nagda section, officials said on Wednesday.
The trial was conducted under the supervision of the Commissioner of Railway Safety (CRS). Ministry officials said the high-speed run was found to be fully satisfactory, though no fresh launch date was announced for the sleeper version, which has missed several earlier deadlines.
Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, who had earlier said the train would be launched in December 2025, shared a video of the trial on X on December 30. The video showcased a water-glass stability test, demonstrating that glasses filled with water remained steady without spillage even at high speeds.
Officials said the CRS trial involved comprehensive technical evaluations, including assessment of ride stability, oscillation and vibration behaviour, braking and emergency braking systems, safety mechanisms and other critical parameters. The CRS subsequently declared the trial successful, the ministry said.
According to officials, the 16-coach Vande Bharat sleeper train is designed for long-distance travel and is equipped with modern passenger amenities, including sleeper berths, advanced suspension, automatic doors, modern toilets, fire detection and safety monitoring systems, CCTV surveillance, digital passenger information systems and energy-efficient technologies.
The Railways said the successful completion of the high-speed CRS trial marks a major technical milestone and paves the way for the introduction of Vande Bharat sleeper services, reaffirming its focus on safety, innovation and indigenous manufacturing under the Atmanirbhar Bharat vision. (Agencies)
