Vande Bharat Sleeper Awaits Final Clearance After Extended Trials

Over six months have elapsed since the prototype for India's highly anticipated Vande Bharat Sleeper train left the Integral Coach Factory (ICF) in Chennai for rigorous testing. 

Vande Bharat Sleeper Awaits Final Clearance After Extended Trials

Despite successfully completing key trials, including high-speed runs, this 16-coach rake, a collaborative effort between ICF (design) and Bengaluru-based BEML (manufacture) built at a cost of approximately Rs 120 crore, is still awaiting the crucial green light from the Commissioner of Railway Safety (CRS) to enter commercial service.

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The journey to this point hasn't been without hurdles. Following its manufacture by BEML, commissioning was delayed for several months after ICF identified over 73 design and technical issues, primarily concerning safety. These included potential problems with crash buffers, fire barrier walls, and the hooks securing middle and upper berths. BEML subsequently addressed these flagged defects.

Significant progress was made in January when the Research Designs and Standards Organisation (RDSO) conducted successful trials. The train achieved its target speed of 160 kmph during speed trials in the Kota division, even undergoing testing at 180 kmph. It also passed oscillation trials, emergency braking tests, and evaluations of its control and electrical systems in Lucknow, alongside short and long-distance trial runs.

However, the final hurdle remains CRS clearance. Sources indicate the CRS has raised specific objections related to the train's design and expressed reservations about certain incorporated safety features. While railway officials maintain there are no fundamental issues with the electrical or mechanical systems, these concerns necessitate resolution.

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ICF General Manager U Subba Rao confirmed that the CRS had posed queries about the prototype, which have been comprehensively addressed and responded to. Rao emphasized that the clarifications sought pertained to "minor technical aspects" and asserted there were "no major flaws" in the prototype. He expressed confidence that clearance from the Railway Board is imminent.

The Vande Bharat Sleeper prototype incorporates several advanced safety enhancements. Notably, it is equipped with the indigenous Kavach Train Collision Avoidance System. Additional features include crashworthy couplers, front and side crash buffers designed to absorb impact energy, and a sophisticated fire detection system.

Once approved, the train will offer significant capacity, configured with 11 AC three-tier coaches, four AC two-tier coaches, and one first-class AC coach, accommodating a total of 823 passengers. Reflecting confidence in the design, the Railway Board has already placed an order with ICF for nine additional Vande Bharat sleeper trains to be manufactured within the current financial year. The focus now remains squarely on securing the final CRS approval to launch this next-generation sleeper service.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Why is the Vande Bharat Sleeper prototype delayed?

The prototype has been undergoing extensive testing for over six months. While it passed key technical trials, final clearance from the Commissioner of Railway Safety (CRS) is pending due to certain design and safety-related objections raised by the CRS. The manufacturer (BEML) also previously addressed over 70 technical defects identified by ICF.

2. What safety concerns were raised about the train?

Initial inspections by ICF flagged concerns including crash buffers, fire barrier walls, and berth hook mechanisms. Later, during the approval process, the Commissioner of Railway Safety (CRS) expressed reservations about specific design elements and some of the implemented safety features, details of which haven't been fully disclosed publicly. Railway officials state the core electrical and mechanical systems are sound.

3. What advanced safety features does the sleeper version have?

The Vande Bharat Sleeper incorporates several enhanced safety technologies. These include the indigenous Kavach anti-collision system, specially designed crashworthy couplers, front and side crash buffers to mitigate collision impacts, and an integrated fire detection system.

4. Has the train completed its technical trials successfully?

Yes, the prototype successfully completed a comprehensive set of trials conducted by RDSO. This included achieving its target speed of 160 kmph during speed trials (and testing up to 180 kmph), oscillation trials, emergency braking tests, and evaluations of its control and electrical systems. It also underwent short and long-distance trial runs.

5. What is the configuration and capacity of the Vande Bharat Sleeper?

The 16-coach prototype rake consists of 11 AC three-tier coaches, 4 AC two-tier coaches, and 1 first-class AC coach. This configuration provides a total seating (berth) capacity for 823 passengers.