PINAKI MAJUMDAR
Jamshedpur, March 12: Tatanagar railway station is set to join India’s expanding Sleeper Vande Bharat Express network, a development expected to significantly improve long-distance rail connectivity for passengers in the Kolhan region of Jharkhand.
Officials of Indian Railways said the sleeper version of the semi-high-speed Vande Bharat train is likely to operate from Tatanagar once the modern coaching depot currently under construction at the station becomes operational. The facility will provide essential maintenance and operational support for the next-generation trains.
Sleeper Vande Bharat Designed for Long-Distance Travel
According to Tarun Huria, Divisional Railway Manager of the Chakradharpur Railway Division, the sleeper variant of the Vande Bharat Express is designed specifically for long-distance journeys and can operate at speeds of up to 160 km per hour.
ALSO READ: Jharkhand cabinet clears major education projects, JPSC exam rules, VIP flight extension
Unlike the existing chair-car Vande Bharat trains that primarily run on shorter routes, the sleeper version will offer comfortable berths, modern passenger amenities and enhanced safety features for overnight travel.
The trains will also be equipped with the indigenous ‘Kavach’ anti-collision safety system, which is gradually being introduced across the national railway network to improve operational safety.
Railway officials said the new trains will use part of the 3,200 state-of-the-art sleeper coaches currently under production in India.
Possible Routes From Tatanagar
Although the final route for the sleeper Vande Bharat service from Tatanagar has not yet been officially announced, railway sources indicated that the train could potentially connect the station with major destinations such as Varanasi or Bilaspur.
Such connectivity is expected to reduce travel time significantly and improve convenience for passengers travelling from Jharkhand to major cities across eastern and central India.
Fourth Rail Line to Ease Congestion Toward Howrah
In a related infrastructure development, Indian Railways has approved the construction of a fourth railway line between Kharagpur and Santragachi, a busy corridor leading toward Howrah.
The 111-km project, estimated to cost ₹2,905 crore, is expected to streamline train movement, reduce congestion and minimise delays caused by trains waiting at outer signals. The upgrade will benefit both passenger and freight services, particularly those arriving from the Dankuni freight corridor.
Passengers Raise Concerns Over Delays
Despite these infrastructure upgrades, passengers in the region continue to face frequent train delays.
On Tuesday, several important services — including the Mumbai–Howrah Mail, Bilaspur–Tatanagar Passenger and the Geetanjali Express — ran several hours behind schedule.
Frustrated passengers have taken to social media, alleging that freight trains are often given priority over passenger services, leading to long halts for express trains at outer stations.
With the proposed Sleeper Vande Bharat service and infrastructure upgrades, railway authorities hope to improve operational efficiency and enhance the overall travel experience for passengers using the Tatanagar rail corridor.
