India reached a new milestone in long-distance overnight rail travel on Saturday, January 17, 2026, with the flagging off of the country’s first Vande Bharat Sleeper Train by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The inauguration was part of the Prime Minister’s visit to West Bengal and Assam on January 17 and 18, underscoring the government’s focus on improving connectivity and comfort across the eastern and northeastern rail corridors.

The new service will run between Howrah in West Bengal and Guwahati (Kamakhya) in Assam, one of the most heavily used routes in India, connecting Eastern India with the Northeast. According to a government release, the corridor sees daily movement of hundreds of thousands of passengers, including students, workers, traders, and families. The introduction of a dedicated overnight service is expected to significantly reduce travel time, improve reliability, and provide a modern, comfortable alternative to existing long-distance trains.

Route and Regional Benefits

The Vande Bharat Sleeper will pass through districts including Cooch Behar, Jalpaiguri, Malda, Murshidabad, Purba Bardhaman, Hooghly, and Howrah in West Bengal, and Kamrup Metropolitan and Bongaigaon in Assam, directly benefiting these regions. Besides regular travelers, the train is expected to serve pilgrims traveling to the Kalighat Temple in Kolkata and the Kamakhya Devi Temple in Guwahati, facilitating smoother journeys for spiritual tourism.

Railway officials note that the Howrah–Guwahati rail corridor is one of India’s busiest long-distance routes, and the Vande Bharat Sleeper is expected to complement existing services like the Saraighat Express, offering a faster, more comfortable, and technologically advanced alternative for passengers who would otherwise endure long journeys on conventional trains.

Travel Time and Cost

Currently, the Saraighat Express takes around 17 hours to cover the approximately 966 km distance between Howrah and Guwahati. The Vande Bharat Sleeper is expected to complete the journey in about 14 hours, saving nearly three hours of travel time.

Fares have been structured to balance comfort and affordability. Indicative ticket prices, according to the Press Information Bureau (PIB) release, are ₹2,300 for 3 AC, ₹3,000 for 2 AC, and ₹3,600 for First AC, making the service a premium yet accessible alternative to air travel.

Train Design, Coaches, and Capacity

The train comprises 16 modern coaches with a total passenger capacity of 823. It is capable of reaching speeds of up to 180 kmph, aided by an advanced aerodynamic design and suspension system that minimizes jerks and vibrations, ensuring a stable and comfortable overnight ride.

Ergonomically designed sleeping berths provide enhanced support for long journeys, while automatic doors with vestibules between coaches improve safety and ease of movement. Additional features include well-planned luggage space, USB charging ports, Divyangjan-friendly areas, modular pantries, and an advanced fire safety system.

Safety and Technology

The train incorporates CCTV surveillance in all coaches and an emergency talk-back system allowing passengers to directly communicate with train crew in urgent situations. For train operation, the locomotive cabins have been designed to reduce fatigue, with dedicated toilet facilities for crew members.

Significantly, the Vande Bharat Sleeper is equipped with the indigenous Kavach automatic train protection system, which is designed to prevent collisions, automatically control speed in critical situations, and enhance overall operational safety.

Cleanliness, Catering, and Passenger Comfort

Passengers will benefit from modern toilet facilities, advanced disinfectant technology to maintain sanitation, and onboard catering. The Vande Bharat Sleeper is designed to offer region-specific cuisine, with trains departing from Guwahati serving Assamese dishes, and those originating from Kolkata offering traditional Bengali delicacies. This emphasis on local flavors is part of a broader strategy to enhance the passenger experience.

Expanding the Vande Bharat Network

By December 2025, India had operationalised 164 Vande Bharat services across 274 districts, carrying over 7.5 crore passengers. The first Vande Bharat Express was launched on February 15, 2019, running the New Delhi–Kanpur–Prayagraj–Varanasi corridor. That 16-coach, fully air-conditioned train introduced modern features such as automatic doors, GPS-based passenger information systems, onboard infotainment, and regenerative braking, setting a precedent for the current sleeper variant.

The Vande Bharat Sleeper represents a new chapter in India’s long-distance rail travel, combining speed, comfort, safety, and regional inclusivity. By reducing travel times, providing modern amenities, and catering to specific passenger needs, it aims to transform overnight journeys between the East and Northeast, while also supporting economic and cultural connectivity along the corridor.

The sleeper variant further exemplifies India’s focus on green and efficient mobility, as advanced technology, aerodynamic design, and operational safety measures contribute to energy efficiency and environmental responsibility. With such investments in passenger experience and infrastructure, the Vande Bharat Sleeper is set to become a preferred option for long-distance travelers, bridging the gap between conventional trains and air travel in terms of both speed and convenience.

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