New Delhi, January 10: Indian Railways is set to enter a new era of overnight travel with the official launch of the first Vande Bharat Sleeper train on January 17. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will flag off the inaugural service from Malda Town in West Bengal, marking the debut of the sleeper variant of India’s indigenous semi-high-speed train. The first service will connect Howrah (Kolkata) and Kamakhya (Guwahati), reducing travel time between the two major eastern hubs to approximately 14 hours.

Inaugural Route and Schedule of Vande Bharat Sleeper Train

The first Vande Bharat Sleeper (Train No. 27575/27576) will operate six days a week, bridging the 966 km distance between West Bengal and Assam. Designed specifically for long-distance overnight journeys, the train is scheduled to depart in the evening and reach its destination early the following morning. Vande Bharat Sleeper Train Guide: Complete Route, Expected Fare and Travel Details.

The route includes 13 key stoppages, such as Bandel, Azimganj, Malda Town, New Jalpaiguri, and New Cooch Behar. Railway officials confirmed that regular passenger services are expected to commence on January 18, 2026.

Modern Interiors and Capacity

Unlike the existing chair-car versions, the Vande Bharat Sleeper features 16 fully air-conditioned coaches with a total passenger capacity of 823. The configuration includes:

11 Third AC Coaches: 611 berths

4 Second AC Coaches: 188 berths

1 First AC Coach: 24 berths

The interiors have been redesigned with a "passenger-centric" approach, featuring ergonomically cushioned berths, integrated reading lights with USB charging points, and modular pantry units. Notably, passengers in First AC will have access to an exclusive hot shower facility—a first for Indian Railways.

Advanced Engineering and Safety

The train recently successfully completed high-speed trials on the Kota–Nagda section, achieving a top speed of 180 kmph. While capable of higher speeds, the Howrah-Guwahati service will initially operate at up to 130 kmph due to track geometry and safety considerations. Indian Railways New Trains: Railway Ministry Rolls Out TAG 2026 With 122 New Trains and Speed Upgrades for 549 Existing Services; Check Details.

Key technical and safety upgrades include:

Kavach System: Equipped with India’s indigenous automatic train protection system to prevent collisions.

Suspension & Noise Reduction: A newly designed bogie and advanced suspension system significantly reduce vibration and noise, ensuring a smoother ride.

Hygiene: Features bio-vacuum toilets and deep, anti-spill washbasins.

Fare Structure

In a move to compete with regional air travel, the Ministry of Railways has positioned the fares as a cost-effective alternative. The introductory one-way fares for the Howrah–Guwahati sector are:

Third AC: INR 2,300

Second AC: INR 3,000

First AC: INR 3,600

These rates are significantly lower than average flight prices on the same route, which typically range between INR 6,000 and INR 10,000.

Future Outlook

The launch in West Bengal is the first of many; Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced that 12 Vande Bharat Sleeper trains are expected to be operational across India by the end of 2026. Future routes are rumoured to include high-demand corridors such as Delhi-Mumbai and Delhi-Howrah as more rakes are manufactured by BEML and the Integral Coach Factory (ICF).

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