Indian Railways has completed the final high-speed trial of the Vande Bharat Sleeper Train on the Kota–Nagda section, with the train achieving a maximum speed of 180 kmph under the supervision of the Commissioner of Railway Safety (CRS), the Ministry of Railways said on Tuesday.
The trial assessed parameters including ride stability, oscillation, vibration behaviour, braking performance, emergency braking and safety systems.
The CRS found the train’s performance at high speed to be satisfactory and declared the trial successful.
Union railway minister Ashwini Vaishnaw shared a video of the trial on social media, showing a water-glass stability test conducted during the run.
“Vande Bharat Sleeper tested today by Commissioner Railway Safety. It ran at 180 kmph between Kota Nagda section. And our own water test demonstrated the technological features of this new generation train,” he said.
According to the ministry, the trial marks the completion of mandatory safety checks required before the introduction of sleeper services on the Vande Bharat platform.
Train configuration and features
The 16-coach Vande Bharat Sleeper rake used in the trial is designed for long-distance travel. It includes sleeper berths, automatic doors, modern toilets, CCTV-based surveillance , fire detection and safety systems, and digital passenger information systems, the statement said.
The train is also fitted with the KAVACH safety system, crashworthy semi-permanent couplers, fire barrier doors between coaches, aerosol-based fire detection in electrical cabinets and lavatories, regenerative braking, UV-C-based air conditioning disinfection units, and emergency talk-back systems.
Facilities for Divyangjan passengers include a special lavatory in the driving coaches at both ends.
The ministry said the successful CRS trial clears the way for the planned introduction of Vande Bharat Sleeper services on long-distance routes.