India's first Vande Bharat sleeper train, developed by Bengaluru-based BEML Limited and which was supposed to be operational by December 2024, has been delayed due to quality concerns flagged by the Integral Coach Factory (ICF) in Chennai.
ICF sources told Moneycontrol that most of the quality issues identified were related to the train's interiors, such as visible gaps in interior panels, malfunctioning side lower berths, improper cushions, leaks in toilets and inaccessible passenger alarms.
Also read: India's first Vande Bharat sleeper train to roll out in six months: Ashwini Vaishnaw
“BEML hastily completed the train's interior works without conducting proper quality checks which resulted in poor workmanship. While Vande Bharat sleeper service was supposed to start operations in December 2024, the prototype is yet to undergo its main line trials.” a source told Moneycontrol.
At present, Vande Bharat trains with chair cars are being operated on medium-distance routes.
In a strongly worded letter to BEML last month, seen by Moneycontrol, ICF raised concerns about unresolved defects in the prototype train set that arrived on October 4. The letter also warned that delays are attracting criticism as the public eagerly anticipates the introduction of the Vande Bharat sleeper service. “ICF is at dark about the actions of BEML Ltd”, it said.
In a communication dated October 5 to BEML, ICF had identified 81 issues requiring attention.
Also read: Vande Bharat sleeper: Ticket prices on par with Rajdhani, separate berths for train attendants
Issues are being resolved: ICF
When contacted, ICF General manager U Subba Rao told Moneycontrol: “There’s no delay. Minor commissioning and side furnishing issues, expected in the prototype, are being resolved.”
He said the train set will be dispatched to the Railway Design and Standards Organisation (RDSO), Lucknow, by December 10 for oscillation trials.
“Preparations, including loading sandbags and installing instrumented buffers, are underway. RDSO will conduct step-by-step oscillation trials, gradually testing speeds up to 160 kmph over two months, mostly on North Western Railway tracks. After trials, the train will return to ICF for final adjustments and clean-up before commissioning,” he said, while declining to comment on the quality issues in the BEML-supplied train.
BEML was unavailable for comment.
“The prototype dispatched was expected to be ready for testing and commissioning. But unresolved issues have delayed its readiness for mainline tests, including oscillation trials supervised by the RDSO. These trials, crucial for high-speed testing, were planned in the North Western Railway Zone," said another source.
Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw in March said that the Vande Bharat sleeper train would roll out within six months. On September 1, he unveiled the prototype train at BEML’s Bengaluru facility, stating that operations would commence within three months following trial runs.
ICF had placed an order with BEML in May 2023 for 10 rakes of the 16-car Vande Bharat sleeper train sets. These trains are designed for an operational speed of 160 kmph (with 180 kmph during testing). Each train set comprises 16 coaches, accommodating 823 berths across 1AC, 2AC and 3AC configurations.
BEML Chairman and Managing Director Shantanu Roy had earlier said that the aesthetic and functional design priorities of the Vande Bharat sleeper trains are intended to elevate passenger comfort and operational efficiency.
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