India Railways marks a significant milestone: PM Modi flags off 1st Vande Bharat Sleeper train connecting Assam & West Bengal

Sleeper trains of Vande Bharat is the brainchild and vision of Union Railways Minister Ashwani Vaishnav to make long-distance overnight journey more comfortable, faster, affordable and time efficient as competitive of aeroplane journey.

Abhishek Byahut
New Delhi

India Railways has achieved a significant milestone with the launch of its first indigenous semi high-speed Vande Bharat Sleeper train, connecting Howrah in West Bengal and Guwahati (Kamakhya) in Assam.

Prime minister Narendra Modi on Saturday, 17 January, flagged off the service at Malda Town railway station, attended by Union Railways Minister Ashwani Vaishnav, among other dignitaries.

The Prime Minister also virtually flagged off the Guwahati (Kamakhya)-Howrah Vande Bharat Sleeper Express. Governor of Assam Lakshman Prasad Acharya, Chief Minister of Assam, Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma other dignitaries joined the event from Guwahati (Kamakhya).

During the event, PM Modi also laid the foundation stone for various rail and road infrastructure projects in West Bengal worth over ₹3,250 crore.

Sleeper trains of Vande Bharat is the brainchild and vision of Union Railways Minister Ashwani Vaishnav to make long-distance overnight journey more comfortable, faster, affordable and time efficient as competitive of aeroplane journey.

The Prime Minister interacted with school children at Malda station, who shared their extraordinary travel experiences.

Addressing the gathering, Modi announced new rail services for West Bengal, aimed at making travel easier and boosting trade.

PM Modi highlighted the new Vande Bharat sleeper train, saying it will make long journeys more comfortable. The first sleeper train connects Maa Kali’s land to Maa Kamakhya’s land, he added.

He expressed hopes for its expansion across India and congratulated Bengal, Assam, and the country for this achievement.

Modi emphasized that the vision of how trains in a developed India should be is clearly reflected in this Vande Bharat sleeper train. He emphasized that this Vande Bharat train is made in India, showcasing the dedication of Indian workers.

The fully air-conditioned sleeper train will cover the distance of 972 km between Kamakhya and Howrah in 14 hours, reducing travel time by approximately 2. 5 hours.

The train has various accommodation classes, including AC 3-tier, AC 2-tier, and AC First Class, with a total capacity of 823 passengers.

The train leaves Kamakhya at 18:15 and arrives in Howrah at 08:15 the next morning. On the return, it departs Howrah at 18:20 and reaches Kamakhya at 08:20 the following day.

It will operate six days a week, excluding Wednesdays and Thursdays, and will stop at 13 stations along the route namely Rangiya, New Bongaigaon, New Alipurduar, New Coochbehar, Jalpaiguri Road, New Jalpaiguri, Aluabari Road, Malda Town, New Farakka, Azimganj, Katwa, Nabadwip Dham and Bandel.

Most train stops are 2 minutes, with New Jalpaiguri and Malda Town at 10 minutes each, and Azim Ganj at 5 minutes.

The Vande Bharat Sleeper train has 16 coaches, including 11 AC 3-tier, four AC 2-tier, and one AC First Class coach with a total capacity of 823 passengers, offering a seamless blend of speed, space and comfort.

Manufactured by BEML, Vande Bharat sleeper train is equipped with a KAVACH anti-collision system and regenerative braking technology, similar to the Vande Bharat chair car trains.

The sleeper coaches feature comfortable, padded berths and easier access to upper berths. Onboard, passengers can enjoy gentle night-time lighting, passenger information systems, CCTV monitoring, and modular pantries. Facilities include bio-vacuum toilets, amenities for people with disabilities, baby care options, and hot-water showers in first-class.

Other improvements consist of sealed gangways, automatic doors, individual reading lamps, charging points, foldable snack tables, and GFRP panel interiors. Safety is enhanced with automatic doors at stations, a centralized monitoring system, and direct emergency communication with the locomotive pilot.

Passengers will also enjoy local cuisine, with specific regional dishes offered depending on the train’s origin.

The Howrah–Guwahati route is an important rail line in India, serving many passengers daily. The introduction of Vande Bharat Sleeper trains will provide a fast and modern travel option for people in West Bengal and Assam. Districts that will benefit include Cooch Behar, Jalpaiguri, and others in West Bengal, along with Kamrup Metropolitan and Bongaigaon in Assam. This service will help common passengers, students, workers, traders, and pilgrims visiting temples like Kalighat and Kamakhya Devi.