SRINAGAR: The Union Government on Thursday informed the Lok Sabha that 164 Vande Bharat train services, including 162 Chair Car services and two Sleeper services, are currently operational across the country, with Jammu and Kashmir being served by two Vande Bharat Express trains connecting New Delhi and Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra.
Replying to a starred question in the Lok Sabha, Union Minister for Railways, Information and Broadcasting and Electronics and Information Technology Ashwini Vaishnaw said Indian Railways has introduced indigenously designed and manufactured Vande Bharat trains to enhance passenger travel with modern coaches, advanced safety systems and improved onboard amenities.
The Minister said the railway network spans multiple States and Union Territories and Vande Bharat services are introduced according to operational and network requirements rather than on a state-wise basis.
According to the statement tabled in the House, 162 Chair Car Vande Bharat services and two Sleeper Vande Bharat services were operational on the Indian Railways network as of July 18, 2026.
For Jammu and Kashmir, the list includes Train No. 22439/22440 New Delhi–Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra Vande Bharat Express and Train No. 22477/22478 New Delhi–Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra Vande Bharat Express, providing high-speed rail connectivity between the national capital and the Union Territory.
The government also informed Parliament that the country’s first Vande Bharat Sleeper service, Train No. 27575/27576 Howrah–Kamakhya Vande Bharat Sleeper Express, began regular operations on 22 January 2026 after extensive trials. Two Sleeper train sets have been manufactured so far.
The Sleeper version has been developed for long-distance travel and is equipped with several advanced features, including KAVACH, crashworthy coaches built to European standards, semi-permanent jerk-free couplers, anti-climbers, centrally controlled automatic plug doors, sealed gangways, CCTV surveillance, regenerative braking, emergency talk-back units, UV-C air disinfection technology, fire detection and suppression systems, and dedicated lavatories for Divyangjan passengers.
The Chair Car variant also incorporates advanced passenger and safety features such as KAVACH, automatic plug doors, CCTV cameras, remote coach condition monitoring, improved fire safety systems, enhanced ride comfort, emergency communication facilities and UV-C-based air purification.
Responding to the second part of the question, the Minister did not report the discontinuation or diversion of any Vande Bharat service, stating that these trains are introduced and operated in accordance with network requirements across the Indian Railways system.
