Vande Bharat Sleeper Train: Indian Railways is preparing to launch its inaugural Vande Bharat Sleeper Train, marking a major upgrade in overnight rail travel across the country. Union Minister for Railways, Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw, made the announcement at a meeting held at Rail Bhawan in New Delhi.
The first complete trial, testing, and certification of the Vande Bharat Sleeper Train have now been successfully concluded. In January, the Honourable Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, will flag off the first-ever Vande Bharat Sleeper Train on this route.
An official Press Release stated, "The Minister noted that this development is a significant milestone for Indian Railways, the nation, and its rail passengers. He also mentioned that 2026 will be a year of substantial reforms for Indian Railways, with numerous passenger-centric initiatives planned for implementation."
According to Jagran.com report, the railway minister said the train will be operational within the next 15 to 20 days. It will be the first Vande Bharat sleeper train connecting two states and will be a significant initiative to further improve rail travel in India.
This new overnight service will connect Kamrup Metropolitan and Bongaigaon districts in Assam with Coochbehar, Jalpaiguri, Maldah, Murshidabad, Purba Bardhaman, Hooghly, and Howrah in West Bengal, enhancing connectivity between the regions. Essentially, the service will operate between Guwahati and Kolkata.
The fare for third AC with meals on this train will be Rs 2,300, second AC Rs 3,000, and first AC Rs 3,600. The minister stated that the airfare from Guwahati to Kolkata ranges from Rs 6,000 to Rs 8,000.
The train will feature 16 fully air-conditioned coaches, comprising 11 AC 3-tier, 4 AC 2-tier, and 1 AC First Class coach. It will have the capacity to accommodate approximately 823 passengers.
Moreover, the train will include special provisions for differently-abled passengers. It will be equipped with CCTV cameras in all coaches, automatic doors with vestibules, and an emergency talk-back unit to enable communication between passengers and the train manager.
Currently, Indian Railways operates semi-high-speed Vande Bharat trains, designed to reach speeds of 180 km/h, with a maximum operational speed of 160 km/h. The Vande Bharat Sleeper aims to merge the comfort of the Rajdhani Express with modern, advanced technology. With its 16 state-of-the-art coaches, it is set to revolutionise the experience of overnight rail travel.