India is preparing to take its indigenously developed Vande Bharat Express trains to the overseas markets, with plans to develop a standard-gauge version of the semi-high-speed train, according to a report by business daily Mint. Rahul Mithal, chairman and managing director of RITES Ltd, an engineering consultancy under the railways ministry, told Mint that the company is working with the Indian Railways on designs for a standard-gauge Vande Bharat platform aimed at the export markets.
The exports will help establish India's presence in the lucrative global market for high-tech urban mobility products. The move marks a push to position India as a supplier of modern, cost-competitive rail mobility products in the global urban markets, where most railway networks run on standard-gauge tracks. "We are working in close coordination with the railways to try and develop the design for standard-gauge Vande Bharat trains and explore its future potential for exports," Mithal told Mint.
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According to Mithal, interest from across the has already emerged from neighbouring countries including Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Nepal, along with some markets in Latin America and Africa. He said African countries, where RITES has expanded consultancy and rolling stock operations, could also become potential buyers. At present, Vande Bharat train sets are manufactured only in broad-gauge format for the domestic market. The production takes place at the Integral Coach Factory (ICF) in Chennai, the Rail Coach Factory in Kapurthala and the Modern Coach Factory in Raebareli.
Vande Bharat Sleeper Class Trains
The Vande Bharat Sleeper Express offers three classes like most of the sleeper trains, First AC, Second AC, and Third AC, accommodating 823 passengers across 16 coaches. Each coach is equipped with electric outlets, reading lights, CCTV cameras, automatic doors, bio-vacuum toilets, and sensor-based taps. As per officials, the trains also carry the Kavach train protection system.
The first Vande Bharat Sleeper service was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on January 17, 2026, on the Howrah-Kamakhya route. The trainset can operate at speeds of up to 160 km/h. Operational details including schedule, fares, and rollout timeline are yet to be announced. The move is part of the government's broader plan to introduce 12 Vande Bharat Sleeper trains by December 2026.
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