Vande Bharat Sleeper Depot to Be Built in Bengaluru

01 Aug 2025 CW Team

The upcoming depot will handle the maintenance and inspection of Vande Bharat sleeper trains, 10 of which—each with 16 coaches—are currently being manufactured jointly by the Integral Coach Factory (ICF) and BEML in Bengaluru. With six chair car services already operational from the city, this development marks a key step in expanding night-service variants of the high-speed train.

Additionally, Indian Railways is planning two new terminals—one near Devanahalli between Bullahalli and Hosuru villages, and another in Nelamangala—after shelving its earlier plans in Whitefield due to land constraints.

Public demand is growing for the reopening of Thanisandra station, located near the busy Manyata Tech Park and slated to be a stop on Bengaluru Suburban Rail’s Corridor-4.

Mobile Health Units for Remote Areas

In a separate initiative, the Karnataka government has sanctioned 52 Mobile Health Units (MHUs) to improve healthcare access in remote and underserved regions. With a total cost of Rs 159.7 million, the MHUs will serve 750 difficult-to-reach habitations, including 110 villages located over 10 km from the nearest primary health centre.

Each unit will visit its designated areas monthly, covering 2–3 villages per day and providing 12 essential health services. Two vehicle types are planned—one staffed with doctors and nurses, and the other with health workers. Each unit will cost between Rs 275,000 and Rs 285,000, with monthly running costs of Rs 195,000 and Rs 120,000, respectively. Staff salaries, vehicle operations, laboratory and miscellaneous expenses are included in the budget.

Personnel including drivers, technicians and assistants will be recruited on contract through the District Health and Family Welfare Society. Mysuru district has requested five MHUs to support villages near forest areas.

Indian Railways will construct a state-of-the-art Vande Bharat sleeper coach depot and workshop near a Bengaluru railway station, with an estimated investment of Rs 2.7 billion. Approved by the Railway Board, the facility will be developed by South Western Railway’s Bengaluru Division and is expected to be completed by early 2026.The upcoming depot will handle the maintenance and inspection of Vande Bharat sleeper trains, 10 of which—each with 16 coaches—are currently being manufactured jointly by the Integral Coach Factory (ICF) and BEML in Bengaluru. With six chair car services already operational from the city, this development marks a key step in expanding night-service variants of the high-speed train.Additionally, Indian Railways is planning two new terminals—one near Devanahalli between Bullahalli and Hosuru villages, and another in Nelamangala—after shelving its earlier plans in Whitefield due to land constraints.Public demand is growing for the reopening of Thanisandra station, located near the busy Manyata Tech Park and slated to be a stop on Bengaluru Suburban Rail’s Corridor-4.Mobile Health Units for Remote AreasIn a separate initiative, the Karnataka government has sanctioned 52 Mobile Health Units (MHUs) to improve healthcare access in remote and underserved regions. With a total cost of Rs 159.7 million, the MHUs will serve 750 difficult-to-reach habitations, including 110 villages located over 10 km from the nearest primary health centre.Each unit will visit its designated areas monthly, covering 2–3 villages per day and providing 12 essential health services. Two vehicle types are planned—one staffed with doctors and nurses, and the other with health workers. Each unit will cost between Rs 275,000 and Rs 285,000, with monthly running costs of Rs 195,000 and Rs 120,000, respectively. Staff salaries, vehicle operations, laboratory and miscellaneous expenses are included in the budget.Personnel including drivers, technicians and assistants will be recruited on contract through the District Health and Family Welfare Society. Mysuru district has requested five MHUs to support villages near forest areas.

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