Winning Bizness Desk

Mumbai.80 Vande Bharat Sleeper Trains To Be Built By Two Firms, With Maintenance Contract Running For 35 Years

The country is set to get 80 more Vande Bharat sleeper trainsets, with their construction and long-term maintenance assigned to a joint venture between two companies. The project, valued at around Rs 24,000 crore, covers not only manufacturing but also maintenance of the trainsets for 35 years.

Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd (BHEL) and Titagarh Rail Systems Ltd (TRSL) have joined hands for the project and signed an agreement on September 15. The two companies will form a new joint venture with equal ownership to execute the contract.

The joint venture will manufacture the 80 Vande Bharat sleeper trainsets and remain responsible for their maintenance for 35 years. The maintenance period will extend until around 2061, giving the project a long-term service component alongside the manufacturing work.

Rs 24,000 Crore Project Covers Manufacturing, Maintenance

The consortium's contract is estimated at around Rs 24,000 crore. It includes the production of 80 Vande Bharat sleeper trainsets as well as their maintenance over three-and-a-half decades.

The project also includes upgrading government manufacturing units and trainset depots. The contract therefore covers several parts of the Vande Bharat sleeper programme, including facilities and infrastructure required to support the trains after they enter service.

Key elements of the project include:

• 80 Vande Bharat sleeper trainsets to be manufactured.
• Maintenance responsibility will continue for 35 years.
• The joint venture will be equally owned by BHEL and TRSL.
• Manufacturing units and trainset depots will also be upgraded.

Long-Term Maintenance Is Part Of Contract

The 35-year maintenance arrangement is a key part of the project. Instead of separating train manufacturing and maintenance, both responsibilities have been placed with the same joint venture.

This arrangement links the design and manufacturing of the trainsets with their long-term upkeep. The company involved in building the trains will also have responsibility for maintaining them over an extended period.

For the railway system, the contract provides a single arrangement covering both manufacturing and long-term maintenance. The maintenance programme will continue for decades after the trains are delivered and put into service.

Sleeper Trains Designed For Long-Distance Journeys

Vande Bharat sleeper trains have been designed specifically for long-distance travel. Unlike the existing daytime Vande Bharat services, the sleeper version is intended for overnight and longer journeys, with greater emphasis on passenger comfort.

The trains feature modern interiors and advanced technology, along with sleeper accommodation suited to long-distance journeys. Their design is aimed at providing passengers with a more comfortable travel experience on longer routes.

India's first Vande Bharat sleeper train began operations in January this year. It was manufactured at the Integral Coach Factory in Chennai, which has played a key role in developing the country's Vande Bharat trainsets.

More Major Cities To Get Sleeper Connectivity

The expansion of the sleeper version is expected to add more long-distance Vande Bharat services between major cities. The new project will increase the number of sleeper trainsets available for deployment across the railway network.

The project will involve not only the manufacture of new trains but also the supporting infrastructure needed for their operation and maintenance.

Towards the end of the project, the long-term service component will remain central to the programme:

• Maintenance of the 80 trainsets will continue for 35 years.
• The contract covers both trains and supporting depot infrastructure.
• Manufacturing facilities will be upgraded as part of the project.
• The joint venture will handle the contracted maintenance responsibility until around 2061.

The BHEL-TRSL joint venture will therefore handle the complete contracted cycle of the 80 sleeper trainsets, from manufacturing to long-term maintenance. The project marks a major expansion of the sleeper version of Vande Bharat trains, which is being developed for long-distance connectivity between major cities.