RVNL Aims For June 2026 Vande Bharat Sleeper Prototype

19 Feb 2026 CW Team

Rail Vikas Nigam Limited has targeted June 2026 to roll out the first prototype of the Vande Bharat Sleeper, signalling an accelerated push to enhance long distance passenger comfort and capacity. The company indicated during its third quarter fiscal year 26 earnings call that work on the sleeper project is progressing according to planned timelines and that prototype delivery constitutes a key milestone for the railways programme.

The RVNL led joint venture has been tasked to manufacture 120 Vande Bharat Sleeper trainsets, each comprising 16 coaches, which will bring total coach production to 1,920 coaches. The scale of the order reflects the railways emphasis on overnight services and the strategic importance attached to modernising long haul rolling stock.

The Ministry of Railways awarded contracts for the Vande Bharat Sleeper to three manufacturers, including BEML, Kinet Railway Solutions and a consortium of Titagarh Rail Systems and Bharat Heavy Engineering Limited. Kinet Railway Solutions is a joint venture between Russian rolling stock major TMH and RVNL, and the selection of multiple suppliers is intended to build capacity and diversify production sources.

One Vande Bharat Sleeper service, operating between Howrah and Kamakhya, entered service in January 2026 and was developed by BEML using technology from the Chennai based Integral Coach Factory. That service has provided early operational data and design validation that will inform follow on manufacturing and fitment decisions for the broader fleet.

Kinet Railway Solutions unveiled a design concept of the First AC coach on October 15, 2025, indicating a four berth compartment with enhanced privacy and integrated amenities. Features described by the company include easy access to upper berths via a staircase, built in USB ports, individual reading lights and smart storage solutions, and these elements are being incorporated as the joint venture advances prototype construction.

Real Estate

08 May 2026

Integrated Waterproofing Strategies

Waterproofing buildings used to be an annual pre-monsoon affair but the evolution of real-estate development has changed that approach. In new developments, developers are weaving waterproofing solutions into both the design and construction phases, an approach that Nikhil Madan, Managing Director, Mahima Group, says, “is all about ensuring lasting durability [of the building] and keeping lifecycle risks including water seepage and extensive maintenance to a minimum.”Watertight by designAluminium formwork systems aren’t commonly thought of as a waterproofing tool but at the Mahima Group,..

GROHE Showcases Water-Led Design At Milan

GROHE unveiled its GROHE SPA Aqua Sanctuary at Milan Design Week 2026, transforming Piccolo Teatro Studio Melato into an immersive showcase of water, design and wellbeing. Built on the philosophy of ‘Wellbeing Through Water’, the installation reimagined bathrooms as holistic spaces for relaxation, rejuvenation and self-care.The Aqua Sanctuary was presented through three interconnected sanctums. The first showcased the 3D-printed GROHE SPA AquaTree shower and faucet, highlighting bespoke innovation and biophilic design. The second featured the Atrio Private Collection and GROHE SPA x Buster..

Rahee Group Expands Rail Manufacturing Capacity

Rahee Group has outlined a multi-year investment roadmap to expand its operational footprint and strengthen manufacturing capabilities for India’s growing railway and urban transit sector. The Group is expanding in Odisha with a new Track Component Casting Unit, for which the groundbreaking ceremony was held on 8 April 2026 in the presence of Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi.The Group’s flagship EPC arm, Rahee Infratech Ltd, continues to focus on complex rail infrastructure projects, including track systems, bridges, viaducts and ballastless infrastructure. Its wholly owned subsidi..