India
oi-Madhuri Adnal
Wabtec Corporation has secured orders worth $94 million (around ₹839 crore) from Indian Railways to supply braking systems, doors and gangway equipment for the Vande Bharat Sleeper train programme.
The contracts also cover system integration support, testing and commissioning. According to the company, the equipment is intended to improve passenger safety, simplify maintenance and support the trains’ long-term operation.
Wabtec Corporation secured $94 million (₹839 crore) in orders from Indian Railways to supply braking systems, doors, and gangway equipment for the Vande Bharat Sleeper train programme, supporting a potential 16-coach Mumbai-Bengaluru service.
The development comes as the Mumbai-Bengaluru Vande Bharat Sleeper service is reportedly scheduled to begin operations on November 1, coinciding with Karnataka Rajyotsava. However, Indian Railways is yet to officially confirm the launch date and other operational details in the information available.
According to a report by The Economic Times, the proposed service will cover around 1,118 km in approximately 16 hours, potentially cutting travel time by nearly eight hours.
The train is expected to have 16 air-conditioned coaches with 823 berths. Its proposed stops include Anantapur, Guntakal, Raichur, Kalaburagi, Solapur and Kalyan, connecting destinations across Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra.
The service is expected to operate under train numbers 27651 and 27652, although these numbers have not been officially confirmed.
The final schedule, stoppages and booking details are yet to be announced.
Wabtec’s orders cover three main onboard systems: brakes, doors and gangways that connect coaches. The company will also support their integration, testing and commissioning.
Pascal Schweitzer, president of Wabtec Transit, said the contracts strengthened the company’s work with Indian Railways and highlighted its local manufacturing capabilities.
The value of the orders is approximately $94 million, equivalent to ₹839 crore.
Indian Railways To Manufacture 50 Sleeper Trainsets
The Integral Coach Factory (ICF) will manufacture 50 Vande Bharat Sleeper trainsets, according to Wabtec. Each trainset is designed to have 24 coaches.
The programme will require Indian Railways, ICF and equipment suppliers to coordinate the manufacturing and integration of the trains before they enter service.
The 24-coach configuration relates to the wider sleeper train programme. The proposed Mumbai-Bengaluru service is reported to have 16 coaches, though its final composition remains subject to official confirmation.
The sleeper version is intended to extend the Vande Bharat platform to long-distance overnight journeys.
