In a significant leap for India's railway modernization, the final high-speed trial of the indigenously developed Vande Bharat Sleeper Train was declared a resounding success on Tuesday. The crucial test was conducted on the Kota–Nagda section under the watchful eyes of the Commissioner of Railway Safety (CRS) for the West Central Railway zone.
A Trial at Top Speed: Pushing the Limits
The trial was not just a formality but a rigorous examination of the train's capabilities at its operational limit. The 16-coach sleeper rake, designed specifically for long-distance travel, was pushed to achieve a maximum speed of 180 kilometres per hour. This test was the last major technical hurdle before the train can be cleared for passenger operations.
Officials from multiple key organizations were present to monitor every aspect of the run. The team included Chief Commissioner of Railway Safety, Janak Kumar Garg, and Divisional Railway Manager Anil Kalra, alongside other senior officers from the Kota division. The trial was a collaborative effort, with experts from the Research Designs and Standards Organisation (RDSO), the Integral Coach Factory (ICF), Chennai, Medha Servo Drives Limited, and Faiveley Transport Rail Technologies India Private Limited actively participating.
Scrutinizing Safety and Performance
The focus of the high-speed run was to assess the train's behaviour under extreme conditions. Engineers meticulously examined a range of prescribed technical parameters to ensure passenger safety and comfort. Key areas of assessment included:
- Train stability and control at high velocity
- Levels of oscillation and vibrations
- Effectiveness of the emergency braking system
- Performance of all onboard safety mechanisms
After thorough analysis, the performance was found to be satisfactory across all critical aspects, leading to the trial being declared completely successful. This outcome validates the engineering and design work that has gone into developing this next-generation sleeper train.
A Milestone for 'Make in India' in Railways
The successful trial marks a pivotal moment for Indian Railways' ambitions. Senior Divisional Commercial Manager Saurabh Jain hailed the achievement as a "significant technical milestone" paving the way for the train's imminent introduction into service. He emphasized that this accomplishment is a strong reflection of the national transporter's commitment to self-reliance, or 'Aatmanirbharta', and its relentless pursuit of advancing modern railway technology within the country.
The Vande Bharat Sleeper Train (Version–2) is poised to revolutionize overnight travel in India, offering faster, safer, and more comfortable journeys. With this final high-speed trial successfully concluded in Kota, the project moves from the testing phase to the threshold of commercial reality, bringing India closer to its goal of a world-class, indigenous railway ecosystem.
