India marked a major milestone in rail modernisation today with the launch of its first Vande Bharat Sleeper train, connecting Howrah in West Bengal with Guwahati (Kamakhya) in Assam. Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagged off the inaugural service from Malda Town railway station on 17 January 2026.
Designed to redefine overnight rail travel, the semi-high-speed sleeper service will cover the 958-kilometre stretch in approximately 14 hours, offering a significantly faster alternative to existing trains on this heavily travelled eastern corridor. The train is engineered for a top operational speed of 180 kmph.
The 16-coach rake includes 11 AC three-tier coaches, four AC two-tier coaches, and one First AC coach, with a total passenger capacity of around 823. Indicative fares have been set at about ₹2,300 for AC three-tier, ₹3,000 for AC two-tier, and ₹3,600 for First AC, positioning the service as a premium yet competitively priced option compared to air travel.
In a departure from conventional long-distance trains, the Vande Bharat Sleeper will operate only with confirmed bookings, with no provision for RAC or waitlisted tickets.
Built with passenger comfort in mind, the sleeper variant features ergonomically designed berths, advanced suspension systems to reduce vibration, automatic inter-coach doors, and enhanced noise-control technologies to ensure a smoother overnight journey.
Safety systems have been upgraded significantly, with the train equipped with India’s indigenous Kavach Automatic Train Protection system to prevent collisions. Additional safety measures include CCTV surveillance across all coaches and emergency communication systems for passengers.
The new service is expected to boost connectivity across several districts in West Bengal and Assam, including Howrah, Hooghly, Purba Bardhaman, Murshidabad, Malda, Jalpaiguri, Cooch Behar, Bongaigaon, and Kamrup Metropolitan. Scheduled halts include Bandel, Katwa, Azimganj, New Farakka, New Jalpaiguri, New Cooch Behar, and New Bongaigaon.
Adding a regional flavour to the onboard experience, Indian Railways will offer cuisine tailored to the route, with Assamese dishes served on trains originating from Guwahati and traditional Bengali food on services starting from Howrah.
Regular commercial operations on the Howrah–Guwahati route will commence from tomorrow. Indian Railways has announced plans to introduce around 12 Vande Bharat Sleeper trains across the country by the end of the year, signalling a major push toward upgrading long-distance passenger rail services.
