Latur’s Marathwada Rail Coach Factory has received the Vande Bharat sleeper coach shell from Chennai but the prototype rollout is now deferred to June 2026 due to design refinements requested by Indian Railways. The Chennai‑built car body—the steel structural shell—has arrived and is undergoing multi‑stage quality assessments before further assembly can begin.
This initial prototype marks part of a phased delivery agreement with Kinet Railway Solutions, a joint venture between Rail Vikas Nigam Ltd and Russian partner Transmashholding, covering 1,920 sleeper coaches . Originally slated for June 2025, India’s first full sleeper rake has been delayed to June 2026 due to additional requirements—extra toilets, pantry provisions and revised luggage space—that needed redesign work . Earlier build plans accounted for a 16‑coach formation, but changes to accommodate 20–24 coaches per rake have implication for cost and launch timelines.
The Latur plant covers 351 acres and was inaugurated in late 2020. It’s equipped with 11 assembly stations, workshops for bogie fitting and painting, an internal 8.6 km test‑track, solar panels and wastewater treatment facilities—seen as an exemplar of sustainable, zero‑carbon industrial infrastructure . Its workforce totals approximately 10,000 employees. The sleeper rake will feature 16 coaches, a designed top speed of 160 km/h, seating capacity for approximately 823 passengers, three toilets per coach and a compact pantry—enhancing overnight travel comfort .
Coaches will be maintained at depots in Bengaluru, Delhi and Jodhpur, following the contracted requirement for proactive lifecycle care . Each rake is projected to cost around ₹120 crore . The Vande Bharat sleeper variant is designed to modernise India’s long‑distance rail travel, offering speed, comfort, and efficient carbon footprint compared to conventional services. Although full‑scale production is delayed, the added amenities are part of a broader focus on gender‑neutral, inclusive mobility. At an estimated 1,920 coach target, Latur’s facility stands to be a major manufacturing and employment centre in central‑India, supporting sustainable economic growth. Revisions to rake size and onboard facilities required renegotiation and adaptation, affecting prototype timelines. Kinet and Indian Railways must coordinate contract adjustments and engineering validation ahead of the June 2026 deadline.
Following the two initial rakes, a phased ramp‑up will set in to meet the full coach quota. Integration into existing long‑haul routes, and data from passenger load and operational efficiency, will inform deployment decisions. While the Latur delay may disappoint eager commuters, it reflects a commitment to higher design standards and passenger experience. The sleeper Vande Bharat promises to be a transformative addition to India’s rail network—but precision now may yield long‑term service excellence.
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