Vande Bharat Sleeper train: RVNL targets December 2026 for first prototype launch

3 min readJun 7, 2026 04:18 PM IST

Vande Bharat Sleeper update: RVNL pushes first prototype launch to December 2026 (Image: Kinet Railway Solutions)

Vande Bharat Sleeper train update: The Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL) has revised the timeline for the rollout of first Vande Bharat Sleeper prototype to December 2026. Earlier, the company had planned to roll out the prototype by June 2026. Speaking during the Q4FY26 Earnings Conference Call, RVNL Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) Saleem Ahmad said that the Vande Bharat Sleeper train project is one of the important project valued at approximately Rs 14,400 crore.

“Another important project is Vande Bharat sleeper train set, a INR 14,400 crore project with 35 years maintenance arrangement being executed by our SPV Kinet Railway Solutions. We are hopeful that first prototype training set is targeted for launch in December 2026,” the RVNL CMD said.

Vande Bharat Sleeper train: RVNL pushes first prototype launch to December 2026

Earlier, in February, RVNL CMD had stated that the company’s first major milestone under the Vande Bharat Sleeper project would be the delivery of the prototype trainset to Indian Railways (IR). “Vande Bharat is a very prestigious project for us also and railways. So we are manufacturing 120 train sets. And right now, our work is going on as per the planned progress. Our first milestone will be to give the prototype to the railways.

And we are hopeful to achieve this milestone within this year as per the program of the railway, which is, I think, June 2026,” he said during the Q3FY26 Earnings Conference Call.

RVNL-led JV to manufacture 16-coach Vande Bharat Sleeper trains

The RVNL-led joint venture will manufacture 16-coach Vande Bharat Sleeper trains. With 120 trainsets planned, this will take the total coach production to 1,920 coaches.

Vande Bharat Sleeper train tender

The Ministry of Railways awarded the contract to manufacture Vande Bharat Sleeper trains to three companies: BEML, Kinet Railway Solutions (a Joint Venture between Russian rolling stock major TMH and Rail Vikas Nigam Limited – RVNL) and a consortium of Titagarh Rail Systems Limited and Bharat Heavy Engineering Limited (BHEL).

The Howrah-Kamakhya-Howrah Vande Bharat Sleeper train which was launched in January 2026 was developed by BEML using Chennai-based Integral Coach Factory (ICF) technology.

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Kinet Railway Solutions’ First AC coach design

On October 15, 2025, the Indo-Russian joint venture Kinet Railway Solutions unveiled the design concept of the First AC coach for the Vande Bharat Sleeper train. The new First AC four-berth compartment offers a spacious, bright and comfortable environment designed for enhanced privacy. The staircase ensures easy access to the upper berths, while each seat comes equipped with a built-in USB port, individual reading light, and smart storage solutions for added convenience.

Anish Mondal is a journalist with over nine years of experience covering the railways and roadways. Currently a member of the Indianexpress.com editorial team, Anish specializes in high-impact sectors.

Professional Journey

Anish began his career at the public broadcaster Rajya Sabha Television (now Sansad TV), where he developed a foundational understanding of legislative processes and national governance. In 2018, he transitioned to digital financial journalism at FinancialExpress.com, spending nearly six years refining his expertise in market trends and corporate reporting. Before joining The Indian Express in 2025, he served as a key contributor at ETNowNews.com.

Education & Expertise

Anish’s reporting is backed by a rigorous academic background in communication and the humanities:

Master of Journalism and Mass Communication (MJMC) – Apeejay Stya University

Post Graduate Diploma in Journalism and Production (PGTVRJP) – Apeejay Institute of Mass Communication

Bachelor of Arts (English Honours) – University of Calcutta

Areas of Coverage

Connectivity: Detailed reporting on the expansion of Indian Railways and National Highway networks. ... Read More

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