Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) has commenced the supply of underslung traction converters specifically developed for the Vande Bharat Sleeper Train project, marking a significant milestone in its involvement in semi-high-speed rail propulsion technology.
The first batch of these traction converters was dispatched from BHEL’s Bengaluru manufacturing facility and is being sent to Kolkata for the final assembly of the new sleeper trains. The project is being executed by a BHEL-led consortium in partnership with Titagarh Rail Systems Ltd (TRSL).
These converters are designed with advanced IGBT-based technology and are mounted beneath the train coaches. This underslung configuration frees up valuable interior space, allowing for more passenger amenities and a higher payload capacity.
In addition to traction converters, BHEL’s units at Bhopal and Jhansi have also developed key propulsion components such as traction motors and transformers for the Vande Bharat Sleeper trains.
The propulsion system supplied by BHEL supports an operational speed of up to 160 km/h, with a design speed of 176 km/h. It also incorporates high-efficiency power conversion and advanced thermal management systems to ensure reliable performance on long-distance overnight journeys.
Officials from BHEL and TRSL flagged off the first set of traction converters at the Bengaluru plant in a ceremony attended by senior company representatives.
This development aligns with India’s broader push to indigenise high-tech rail propulsion systems and expand the country’s semi-high-speed train network. The first Vande Bharat Sleeper service is expected to operate on the Guwahati–Howrah route in the near future.
