Kineco Global Rail secures Interior Contract for new 100 Vande Bharat Sleeper Trains

Goa, India (Metro Rail Today): Goa-based Kineco Group has secured a significant long-term contract under the Vande Bharat Sleeper Train programme, further strengthening its position in India’s rapidly expanding railway manufacturing ecosystem. The company will supply sleeper cubicle interiors, including doors and advanced vacuum toilet systems, for the next generation of Vande Bharat sleeper trains being developed for Indian Railways.

The contract has pushed Kineco Group’s consolidated order book beyond ₹3,000 crore, providing strong long-term revenue visibility and reinforcing its role as a key contributor to India’s railway modernization and indigenous manufacturing ambitions.

Under the agreement, Kineco Global Rail, the group’s rail-focused subsidiary, will supply critical interior systems and components to private rolling stock manufacturers responsible for building coaches for the semi-high-speed Vande Bharat Sleeper trains. The company is already a major supplier for several flagship railway programmes and manufactures nose fronts, passenger vestibules, interior panels, and other advanced composite components for Vande Bharat, Namo Bharat, and Amrit Bharat trains.

Commenting on the development, Vivek Srivastava, Group CEO and Executive Director, Kineco Group, said:

“The long-term, multi-contract nature of these wins provides strong revenue visibility and underpins Kineco’s investment in manufacturing capacity, engineering talent, and supply chain deepening.”

He further described the Vande Bharat Sleeper programme as one of the most strategically important projects in India's railway transformation journey.

The company’s growing presence in the rail interiors segment has been strengthened through the acquisition of Semvac A/S of Denmark and TRB Lightweight Structures of the United Kingdom under Kineco Global Rail. These acquisitions have enabled Kineco to integrate European engineering expertise and advanced technologies into its product portfolio, including sanitation systems, lightweight composite structures, and modular rail interiors tailored for Indian conditions.

The Vande Bharat Sleeper programme represents the next evolution of India’s flagship semi-high-speed train initiative. While 164 Vande Bharat train services are currently operational across the Indian Railways network, all existing services consist of air-conditioned chair car configurations. The sleeper variant is designed to cater to long-distance intercity travel and is expected to significantly enhance passenger comfort and operational efficiency.

In January, the Ministry of Railways announced plans to introduce the first Vande Bharat Sleeper service between Guwahati and Howrah, marking the beginning of a new chapter in overnight rail travel. The train will feature 16 modern sleeper coaches with a total passenger capacity of 823 passengers and will be capable of operating at speeds of up to 180 kmph.

The project is expected to set new benchmarks in passenger experience, combining advanced safety systems, modern interiors, improved sleeping arrangements, intelligent onboard amenities, and enhanced sanitation facilities. The inclusion of high-quality interior systems supplied by domestic manufacturers such as Kineco also aligns with the Government of India’s Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat initiatives aimed at strengthening indigenous railway manufacturing capabilities.

Industry experts view Kineco’s latest contract as a reflection of the growing opportunities emerging from India’s railway modernization programme, which is driving demand for advanced rolling stock components, lightweight materials, smart interiors, and world-class passenger amenities.

Mrs. Mamta Shah, MD & CEO, Urban Infra Group, commented:

“The Vande Bharat Sleeper programme is poised to transform long-distance rail travel in India by introducing world-class comfort, technology, and safety standards. The participation of Indian companies such as Kineco in supplying sophisticated interior systems demonstrates the growing maturity of the country’s rail manufacturing ecosystem and reinforces India’s ambition to become a global hub for railway technology and rolling stock production.”

With a robust order pipeline and increasing participation in flagship rail projects, Kineco is emerging as an important player in the development of next-generation train technologies that will shape the future of mobility in India and beyond.