Titagarh Rail Systems Limited (TRSL), in collaboration with Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL), has launched a production line for Vande Bharat Sleeper trains at its manufacturing facility in Uttarpara, Kolkata. The line has been established following the award of a contract by Indian Railways to manufacture 80 sleeper train sets. The contract is valued at approximately INR 240 billion, which includes 35 years of long-term maintenance.
The Uttarpara plant will manufacture the trains as part of a consortium between TRSL and BHEL. Production of prototypes is expected to begin in the next calendar year. The facility is equipped with Industry 4.0 technologies, including robotic production lines, and is currently the only site in India capable of producing both stainless steel and aluminium coaches under one roof.
The plant’s current capacity is 300 coaches annually, with plans to scale up to 850 units to accommodate increasing demand. The Vande Bharat Sleeper variant is intended for long-distance, semi high-speed travel, featuring an indigenous design, energy-efficient systems, and enhanced passenger safety features.
Umesh Chowdhary, Vice Chairman and Managing Director of TRSL, stated, “This is a proud moment for the Titagarh Rail Systems–BHEL teams. The Vande Bharat Sleeper project is a shining example of what can be achieved when the public and private sectors come together with a shared vision.”
The project marks a significant expansion in domestic manufacturing capacity for passenger rail systems.