Vande Bharat Sleeper Train Faces Further Delay As Railway Board Flags Furnishing and Safety Issues

The much-awaited Vande Bharat Sleeper Train, which was expected to launch in October 2025, has hit another delay after the Railway Board raised concerns over furnishing and safety issues. Despite receiving in-principle approval for operations, the board has instructed that several deficiencies be rectified before the train is cleared for service.

According to officials, the second Vande Bharat Sleeper rake is still in the final manufacturing stage, with interior furnishing work underway. Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw had earlier hinted at an October debut, but the new observations have pushed the timeline further.

🚉 Railway Board Flags Quality Concerns

In a detailed communication to the Research Designs and Standards Organisation (RDSO) and all railway zones, the Board pointed out multiple furnishing and design flaws such as:

Sharp edges and corners in the berthing area

Poorly designed window curtain handles

“Pigeon pockets” between berth connectors causing cleaning and maintenance issues

The Board has asked for immediate corrective measures for the current rake and urged design improvements in future versions.

🧾 Safety & Compliance Observations

The Chief Commissioner of Railway Safety (CCRS) made similar remarks during trial runs earlier this year. Following these inspections, RDSO submitted an updated compliance report on September 1, 2025, as per PTI.

To ensure smooth operations, the Ministry of Railways has also reinforced several safety and operational protocols, including:

Strict fire safety compliance across all coaches

Integration of Kavach 4.0, India’s advanced collision avoidance system

Reliable communication systems between loco pilots, train managers, and station masters

Routine maintenance and inspection of brake systems

👷‍♂️ Emergency Training & Technical Readiness

The Railway Ministry has instructed all zones to train loco pilots in emergency uncoupling procedures, requiring them to disconnect the semi-permanent coupler within 15 minutes if needed. The necessary tools will be included in driver and guard kits.

In addition, zones must deploy adequately trained technical staff capable of handling on-route technical issues and emergencies to ensure the Vande Bharat Sleeper runs safely once operational.

🛏️ About the Vande Bharat Sleeper

The Vande Bharat Sleeper marks India’s next step in modern railway innovation—an upgrade over the semi-high-speed chair car versions already running across major routes. Designed for overnight travel comfort, the sleeper variant will feature enhanced interiors, smart systems, and advanced safety features once the issues are resolved.