Kerala is set to make railway history as it becomes home to India’s first Vande Bharat Sleeper train, launching soon on the Thiruvananthapuram–Mangaluru route. Designed to transform overnight travel, the train will offer a perfect blend of speed, comfort, and modern amenities — redefining the experience of long-distance journeys in the country.
Developed by the Integral Coach Factory (ICF) in Chennai and manufactured by Bharat Earth Movers Limited (BEML), the 16-coach fully air-conditioned sleeper train can accommodate up to 1,128 passengers. It boasts ergonomically designed berths, reading-friendly lighting, GPS-enabled LED information displays, automatic doors, a modular pantry, and the Kavach safety system — making it one of the most advanced trains in India.
The Thiruvananthapuram–Mangaluru corridor, a high-demand route with currently six overnight trains operating at full capacity, was prioritized for this premium service to address the growing need for better connectivity and availability.
The government also plans to roll out more Vande Bharat Sleeper routes in the near future, including Thiruvananthapuram–Bengaluru and Kanyakumari–Srinagar, further strengthening India’s inter-zone railway network.
With this launch, Indian Railways takes a giant leap forward in providing world-class travel options to its passengers, setting a new benchmark in the realm of sleeper train services.
