Tatanagar Set To Receive Two New Sleeper Vande Bharat Trains To Mumbai And Varanasi

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Jamshedpur

In a major boost to interstate connectivity and passenger comfort, Tatanagar is set to get two new ultra-modern Sleeper Vande Bharat Express trains. The proposed routes will significantly ease long-distance travel from the industrial hub of Tatanagar to the financial capital, Mumbai, and the spiritual center, Varanasi.

The South Eastern Railway (SER) zone has officially fast-tracked the initiative, sending a comprehensive proposal from its Garden Reach headquarters to the Railway Board on June 11.

High-Speed Links to Mumbai and Varanasi

According to railway sources, the first Sleeper Vande Bharat train is planned to run between Shalimar (West Bengal) and Mumbai, routing directly through the major Jharkhand transit hubs of Tatanagar and Chakradharpur. Once approved by the Railway Board, this service will offer a faster, safer, and much more comfortable alternative for passengers traveling to Maharashtra, cutting across Jharkhand, Odisha, and Chhattisgarh.

The second highly anticipated route is the Tatanagar–Varanasi Sleeper Vande Bharat Express. While this project was initially conceptualized in 2024 to serve commuters across Jharkhand, Bihar, and Uttar Pradesh, it faced technical delays due to inadequate maintenance infrastructure at Tatanagar. Local MP Bidyut Baran Mahato has been actively lobbying for the completion of this route, emphasizing its necessity for the region.

Overcoming Infrastructure Bottlenecks

To pave the way for these high-speed sleeper trains, the South Eastern Railway zone is gearing up to invest ₹283 crore into setting up a brand-new, state-of-the-art coaching depot at Tatanagar.

Currently, Tatanagar station relies on a single upgraded washing line—modified in August 2024—to handle the cleaning, repair, and primary maintenance of its existing Vande Bharat fleet. The upcoming coaching depot and the broader station redevelopment plan are expected to fully resolve these logistical constraints, allowing the station to host multiple new high-speed routes.

Tatanagar’s Growing Vande Bharat Network

The introduction of these two sleeper routes will solidify Tatanagar’s position as a premier railway hub in eastern India, marking its fifth Vande Bharat connection.

Currently, Tatanagar directly operates Vande Bharat services to Patna and Berhampur. Additionally, the Ranchi–Howrah and Rourkela–Howrah Vande Bharat trains run through Tatanagar six days a week.

Railway officials note that despite higher fares, the Vande Bharat trains have rapidly become the preferred choice for regional travellers due to their top-tier amenities, exceptional speed, cleanliness, and advanced safety features. Long-distance sleeper variants are expected to see even higher demand once officially greenlit by the Railway Board.