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Vande Metro, also known as Vande Bharat Metro, is inspired by the medium-speed Vande Bharat Express and aims to revolutionize rail travel over shorter distances.

Let’s take a look at the special features of the Vande Bharat sleeper and Vande Metro trains:

Vande Bharat Sleeper: Top Features

• Vande Bharat's sleeper prototype will have 16 coaches, including 11 AC-3 tier coaches, 4 AC-2 tier coaches and one AC-1 tier coach.
• The total capacity of the train is 823 berths, of which 611 are on the 3rd floor of AC, 188 on the 2nd floor of AC and 24 on the 1st floor of AC.
• The berths will be extra padded, better than the Rajdhani Express trains. The sides of each berth will be well padded to ensure a comfortable travel experience.
• The interior of Vande Bharat's new sleeper car features a soothing colour scheme, with cream, yellow and wood tones creating a pleasant atmosphere.
• A better designed ladder allows passengers to more easily reach the upper and middle beds.
• Sensor-controlled lighting will be installed in common areas and energy-efficient ceiling lighting will ensure adequate lighting.
• Strips will be placed on the floor in the corridor areas to facilitate movement during the night.
• The Vande Bharat Sleeper will have sensor-enabled communication doors, sound insulation and mitigation measures for a quiet saloon area, special sleeping spaces and toilets for people with disabilities, and automatic entry and exit doors for passengers.
• To ensure a smooth and comfortable ride, the Vande Bharat sleeper train will be equipped with semi-permanent couplers similar to those in the existing Vande Bharat chair car trains. This technology will minimize shocks and provide a more comfortable travel experience to the passengers.
• The Vande Bharat sleeper train will have fully sealed aisles that will allow easy movement between coaches. Passengers can look forward to a well-regulated air-conditioning system that will maintain a comfortable temperature and a dust-free environment, similar to the Vande Bharat chair-car trains.
• The exterior design of the Vande Bharat sleeper train will be inspired by the ‘prowess of eagles’ and will include sleek lines and a ‘wild aura’.
• As a medium-speed train service, the Vande Bharat sleeper train will be capable of speeds of up to 160 km/h; the prototype will be tested at even higher speeds of up to 180 km/h.

Exclusive to Vande Bharat Sleeper: What will the new Indian Railways train look like?

Vande Metro: Top Features

• Vande Metro is a self-propelled train, similar to Vande Bharat Express, which means it does not require a locomotive to pull it. The main objective behind developing Vande Metro is to replace the mainline EMU trains and provide a faster and more comfortable travel option to the passengers.
• Vande Metro trains use rapid acceleration and deceleration technology to achieve a maximum operating speed of 130 km/h, which is significantly higher than the speed of current mainline electric trains.
• The Vande Metro trains will be fitted with modern, lightweight padded seats that will accommodate 100 seated passengers per carriage, with additional standing space for 200. The lightweight car body will contribute to the overall efficiency and performance of the train.
• Initially, Vande Metro trains will have fully air-conditioned carriages. Vande Metro trains will be equipped with modern amenities to ensure a comfortable and efficient journey for passengers seeking a first-class short-distance travel experience.
• The trains will also have fully sealed gangways, allowing easier movement between coaches and a dust-free environment, similar to the Vande Bharat Express.
• Vande Metro will feature lightweight aluminum luggage racks and passenger information systems with LCD displays. Passengers can enjoy automatic entry and exit doors, sockets for charging mobile phones, diffused lighting, route display screens and wider panoramic windows with roller shutters.
• For safety reasons, Vande Metro trains will be equipped with the KAVACH anti-collision system, CCTV cameras, emergency call units and automatic fire detection and alarm systems. The trains will also have modular toilets with bio-vacuum systems.
• The number of coaches in each Vande Metro train will be either 12 or 16 depending on the demand on the particular route. According to a TOI report, railway officials have indicated that the Vande Metro trains are likely to run on various routes including Agra-Mathura, Delhi-Rewari, Lucknow-Kanpur, Tirupati-Chennai and Bhubaneswar-Balasore.
• In February 2023, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw first announced the Vande Metro. Two prototypes are currently being built at RCF Kapurthala and ICF Chennai. These prototypes are now undergoing extensive testing.

Exclusive to Vande Bharat Sleeper: What will the new Indian Railways train look like?