Russian-Tech Vande Bharat Sleeper Delayed Again; Prototype Now Expected in March 2027
What Happened
The first Vande Bharat Sleeper train being developed with Russian technology has been delayed again, with Kinet Railway Solutions now targeting March 2027 for the prototype rollout. The company has missed earlier June and September deadlines and is yet to resolve issues related to key components and secure final approvals from Indian Railways.
Key Takeaways
Indian Railways may invoke penalty clauses if the pending issues are not resolved within the revised timeline. The ₹14,400-crore project covers 120 sleeper trainsets and is a key part of Railways' plans to expand overnight Vande Bharat services.