India’s First Vande Bharat Sleeper May Launch This Month

05 Sep 2025 CW Team

Indian Railways is preparing to launch the country’s first Vande Bharat Sleeper train this month, marking a significant leap in long-distance, high-speed rail travel. Designed for enhanced comfort and speed, the new sleeper variant of the Vande Bharat series will cater to medium and long-haul routes.

Speaking at an event in Bhavnagar, Gujarat last month, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw confirmed that the Vande Bharat Sleeper train would debut in September, though an exact launch date has yet to be announced.

In a written reply to the Rajya Sabha on 25 July 2025, the Minister revealed that the first prototype rake has already been manufactured and is undergoing commissioning following extensive field trials.

While the route for the inaugural run has not been finalised, the Railway Board is expected to announce it soon.

The Vande Bharat Sleeper has been designed to run at speeds of up to 180 kmph, promising faster and more comfortable overnight journeys.

Equipped with world-class passenger amenities, the train features:

Integrated reading lights with USB charging ports
Public announcement and digital information systems
Interior display panels and CCTV security
Modular pantries
Special berths and toilets for differently-abled passengers
Hot-water showers in 1st AC coaches

The sleeper version builds on the success of India’s semi-high-speed Vande Bharat Express series and is set to redefine overnight travel with a blend of comfort, convenience, and advanced technology.

Infrastructure Urban

05 Nov 2025

TBO Tek Q2 Profit Climbs 12%, Revenue Surges 26% YoY

TBO Tek Limited one of the world’s largest travel distribution platforms, reported a solid performance for Q2 FY26 with a 26 per cent year-on-year increase in revenue to Rs 5.68 billion, reflecting broad-based growth and improving profitability.The company recorded a Gross Transaction Value (GTV) of Rs 8,901 crore, up 12 per cent YoY, driven by strong performance across Europe, MEA, and APAC regions. Adjusted EBITDA before acquisition-related costs stood at Rs 1.04 billion, up 16 per cent YoY, translating into an 18.32 per cent margin compared to 16.56 per cent in Q1 FY26. Profit after tax r..

Northern Graphite, Rain Carbon Secure R&D Grant for Greener Battery Materials

Northern Graphite Corporation and Rain Carbon Canada Inc, a subsidiary of Rain Carbon Inc, have jointly received up to C$860,000 (€530,000) in funding under the Canada–Germany Collaborative Industrial Research and Development Programme to develop sustainable battery anode materials.The two-year, C$2.2 million project aims to transform natural graphite processing by-products into high-performance, battery-grade anode material (BAM). Supported by the National Research Council of Canada Industrial Research Assistance Programme (NRC IRAP) and Germany’s Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs a..

Antony Waste Q2 Revenue Jumps 16%; Subsidiary Wins Rs 3,200 Cr WtE Projects

Antony Waste Handling Cell Limited (AWHCL), a leading player in India’s municipal solid waste management sector, announced a 16 per cent year-on-year increase in total operating revenue to Rs 2.33 billion for Q2 FY26. The growth was driven by higher waste volumes, escalated contracts, and strong operational execution.EBITDA rose 18 per cent to Rs 570 million, with margins steady at 21.6 per cent, while profit after tax stood at Rs 173 million, up 13 per cent YoY. Revenue from Municipal Solid Waste Collection and Transportation (MSW C&T) reached Rs 1.605 billion, and MSW Processing re..