Titagarh Rail Systems Limited (TRSL) and Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) have moved forward with plans to form a joint venture company that will undertake long-term maintenance of the Vande Bharat Sleeper trainsets to be supplied by their consortium. The formation was approved by the board of TRSL at a meeting on 19 March 2026 and is intended to create a special purpose vehicle to fulfil contractual maintenance obligations. The arrangement is being framed as a consolidated maintenance solution spanning 35 years for the sleeper train fleet.

The JV will be responsible for servicing the trains under the long-term contract awarded within the Government of India Make-in-India and Atma Nirbhar Bharat programmes. TRSL described the step as necessary to meet maintenance obligations under the master contract manufacturing and maintenance agreement related to the project. The special purpose vehicle structure is intended to centralise maintenance operations and ensure compliance with domestic manufacturing commitments.

BHEL confirmed that the proposed joint venture will proceed after obtaining clearance from the Department of Investment and Public Asset Management (DIPAM). The company indicated that the joint venture agreement and authorisation for seeking DIPAM approval will be finalised after clearance, with modifications if required, and that statutory disclosures under the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) listing regulations will be made once the agreement is signed. The sequence is expected to include formalisation of the JV agreement and subsequent regulatory filings.

Industry observers say the arrangement follows a wider trend of integrators combining manufacturing and aftercare responsibilities to support durability and domestic value addition in rail projects. The JV is positioned to provide integrated lifecycle support for the Vande Bharat Sleeper trainsets and to deliver the ongoing technical and logistical services required over the contract term. After DIPAM approval and completion of documentation, the parties will proceed to implement maintenance plans and disclose required details to regulators.