The Vande Bharat Sleeper Train is expected to be officially flagged off by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and will run between Guwahati (Kamakhya) and Kolkata (Howrah)
In a landmark New Year announcement, Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Thursday (January 1, 2026) announced that India’s first-ever Vande Bharat Sleeper Train will begin operations this month, connecting Guwahati (Kamakhya) and Howrah (Kolkata) stations.
The service is expected to be officially flagged off by Prime Minister Narendra Modi between January 15 and 20.
The launch marks a major shift for Indian Railways, transitioning the popular Vande Bharat brand from daytime chair cars to premium overnight travel.
Faster Travel and Strategic Stoppages
Designed for long-distance travel, the new sleeper train aims to cover the approximately 966 km distance in roughly 14 hours and 30 minutes. This is a significant improvement over existing express trains, which often take 18 to 20 hours for the same journey.
Proposed Schedule:
- From Kamakhya (Guwahati): Departure at 7:00 PM; Arrival at Howrah at 9:30 AM.
- From Howrah (Kolkata): Departure at 6:00 PM; Arrival at Kamakhya at 8:30 AM.
The train will benefit several districts, with planned stops at major stations including New Bongaigaon, New Cooch Behar, New Jalpaiguri (NJP), and Malda Town.
World-Class Amenities and Safety
The indigenously built 16-coach train—manufactured by BEML in collaboration with ICF—recently passed high-speed trials on the Kota-Nagda section, reaching speeds of 180 km/hour.
- Coach Composition: 11 AC 3-Tier, 4 AC 2-Tier, and 1 AC First Class coach (Total capacity: 823 passengers).
- Passenger Comfort: Ergonomically designed cushioned berths, automatic inter-coach doors, and noise-reduction technology.
- Technology & Safety: Equipped with the KAVACH anti-collision system, CCTV surveillance, and specialized disinfectant air-conditioning technology.
- Cuisine: Passengers will be served regional delicacies—Assamese cuisine on trains departing from Guwahati and Bengali dishes on the return leg from Howrah.
Fare Structure (Inclusive of Food)
To remain competitive with airlines while serving the middle class, the ministry has proposed a fare structure without dynamic pricing:
Class Estimated Fare
AC 3-Tier Rs 2,300
AC 2-Tier Rs 3,000
AC First Class Rs 3,600
Railway Minister Vaishnaw noted that this is just the beginning for 2026, with 12 more Vande Bharat sleeper sets expected to be rolled out by the end of the year to serve other high-demand routes across India.
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