Vande Bharat Sleeper Train: The Vande Bharat Express trains have revolutionized train travel in India since their commercial launch in February 2019 providing unrivalled comfort and security to travelers connecting various busy hubs in the country in a seamless manner. Currently more than 50 Vande Bharat Express trains are running in different parts of the country and Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led central government aims to increase this number to 400 by March 2027. This company to build 120 Vande Bharat sleeper trains The government has tasked electric passenger train manufacturer Kinet Railway Solutions -- a joint venture between Indian and Russian interests-- of building as many as 120 Vande Bharat sleeper trains and the company aims to begin production of Vande Bharat trains at its Latur facility in Maharashtra according to a report by the Hindu Business Line. As per the report Kinet Railway Solutions is seeking a Rs 500 loan from the Punjab National Bank (PNB) which will be backed by Russias state-owned banking and financial firm Sberbank Rossii The Russian firm is acting as the sovereign guarantor and financier for the project it said. According to details Kinet Railway Solutions had secured a contract to manufacture 120 Vande Bharat trains in 2023 but the project has been on ice due to various reasons including lack of working capital required in the initial phase of the project. One of key reasons behind the delay was a tussle between Indian Railways and the manufacturer over the design and the number of coaches in the new Vande Bharat sleeper trains. The national transporter wanted a train-set with 24 coaches instead of 16 and ultimately settled for the original contract. Prototype to ready by June 2026 The report said that the Indo-Russian joint venture has already handed out contracts worth Rs 450 crore to CG Power for installing engines power systems and electrical components in the new Vande Bharat trains while tenders for the interior design of the trains are expected soon. Reports suggest that the first prototype is expected to be ready for a trial run by June 2026 and commercial launch will follow soon afterwards. Who owns Kinet Railway Solutions? Kinet Railway Solutions is a state-owned joint venture between India and Russia with Russias Metrovagonmash owning a controlling 70% stake Indias Rail Vikas Nigam Limited having a 25% stake while Locomotive Electronic Systems owns a 5% stake.