India's First Vande Bharat Sleeper Coach Maintenance Facility Coming to Jodhpur by Mid-2026

Jodhpur, Rajasthan is set to house India's inaugural maintenance and workshop facility specifically designed for Vande Bharat sleeper train coaches. Senior officials from North Western Railway have announced that the project, with an estimated total cost of Rs 360 crore, is slated for completion by mid-2026.

The facility, located at Bhagat Ki Kothi Railway station, will be developed in two phases. The first phase, costing Rs 167 crore, is scheduled for completion by June 2026. It will include a 600-metre track capable of maintaining 24 sleeper coaches. The second phase, with an investment of Rs 195 crore, is expected by June 2027 and will feature a 178-metre track, a dedicated workshop, and a simulator facility.

Indian Railways is focusing on precision, safety, and performance, as evidenced by the inclusion of a dedicated wheel rack system and a specialised testing laboratory with advanced simulators for training and evaluation of high-tech equipment. The depot will have the capacity to inspect and maintain three trains simultaneously, with its workshop equipped with advanced machinery for lifting entire train rakes and managing bogies and wheel systems for continuous upkeep.

This facility will exclusively service Vande Bharat sleeper coaches, which are set to be introduced soon. The project is being executed by North Western Railway, with Railway Vikas Nigam Limited and Kinet Railway Solution, a joint venture between Russia and India, serving as technology partners.

Similar facilities are also planned for Bijwasan (Delhi), Thanisandra (Bengaluru), Anand Vihar (Delhi), and Wadi Bandar (Mumbai).

Impact This development is crucial for the operational efficiency, safety, and expansion of the Vande Bharat train network, particularly its sleeper variants. It signifies a significant investment in modern railway infrastructure, ensuring high-tech trains receive specialized maintenance. This is a positive step for Indian Railways' capabilities and passenger service quality. Impact Rating: 8/10

Difficult terms: Vande Bharat: India's semi-high-speed, indigenous train service. Sleeper coach: A railway carriage with berths for passengers to sleep in during overnight journeys. Maintenance facility: A specialized site equipped for the servicing, repair, and upkeep of trains. Senior Divisional Mechanical Engineer: A senior official responsible for mechanical operations and maintenance within a railway division. Railway Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL): A public sector undertaking involved in the planning, execution, and development of railway projects. Kinet Railway Solution: A joint venture technology partner in the project. Joint venture: A business arrangement where two or more parties agree to pool their resources for a specific task. Depot: A facility for storing and maintaining vehicles, in this case, trains. Bogies: The wheeled undercarriage of a railway vehicle, typically comprising two axle assemblies and brakes. Wheel-turning systems: Equipment used to re-profile or resurface train wheels without removing them from the bogie.