New Delhi, Sept. 5 -- Vande Bharat trains are moving beyond daytime journeys, with Indian Railways preparing to expand its semi-high-speed network with sleeper services for long-distance overnight travel.

The first Vande Bharat sleeper trains entered passenger service earlier this year on the Guwahati-Howrah route. A second pair is currently undergoing trials. Reports have suggested Bengaluru-Mumbai as a possible route, although Indian Railways has not officially confirmed the deployment, the Economic Times reported.

Meanwhile, the manufacturing pipeline is growing. Plans currently cover 260 Vande Bharat sleeper trainsets, to be produced by multiple manufacturers.

The first 10 sleeper trainsets are being manufactured by BEML, with each...