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Vande Bharat Sleeper Hits 180 km/h In Tests - Bengaluru-Based Southern Routes Speculated
The Vande Bharat Sleeper has recorded a top speed of 180 km/h during testing, indicating the performance envelope being assessed for upcoming overnight train services. The sleeper variant is being developed to handle longer journeys that existing daytime Vande Bharat operations cannot cover.
Unlike current Vande Bharat trains, which are configured with chair cars for daytime use, the sleeper version is intended for overnight travel. The aim is to serve routes where passengers board late in the evening and arrive the following morning without extending into multi-day journeys.
Certain routes are being discussed informally as suitable examples based on distance, demand and network layout. The first Vande Bharat Sleeper is set to operate on the Kolkata-Guwahati route, with Delhi-Patna and Delhi-Mumbai being discussed as the next apparent routes to get the new high-speed sleeper. However, most of these "discussed" routes are up in the North.
So, let's talk about a few routes in the South, with the nation's tech capital, Bengaluru, as the focus, thanks to its position on multiple long-distance rail corridors. The city connects western India with southern metros and both western and eastern coasts, making it a logical junction for overnight services operating across regions.
One possible corridor could be a Mumbai-Bengaluru route. Current overnight trains on this stretch often take more than 20 hours. A faster sleeper service could reduce travel time while offering improved onboard comfort, depending on track capacity and scheduling.
Another route that fits the sleeper train's operating window is Chennai-Mangaluru via Bengaluru. This corridor links Tamil Nadu, Karnataka's capital and the coastal belt, serving steady passenger demand across business, education and tourism-related travel segments.
Routes of this length align with the sleeper Vande Bharat's design intent. The focus is on journeys that can be completed within roughly 16 to 20 hours, allowing efficient overnight travel without pushing operating times into longer, less practical ranges.
The 180 km/h figure recorded during testing reflects the train's technical capability rather than its planned operating speed. Commercial services are expected to run at lower average speeds, based on track conditions, signalling systems and traffic density.
For now, all Bengaluru-linked corridors remain unconfirmed. Indian Railways will commence the Vande Bharat Sleeper service on the Kolkata-Guwahati route sometime this month. Hopefully, after the launch of the inaugural route, we will get more details about other future Vande Bharat sleeper routes.
Images Source: PTI
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