New Delhi | January 1, 2026:

Indian Railways has kicked off the new year with a landmark development. Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced that the country’s first Vande Bharat Sleeper Train will operate between Howrah (Kolkata) and Guwahati (Kamakhya). Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to inaugurate the train in the second half of January, likely on the 18th or 19th.

Meeting a long-standing demand for overnight travel on long distances, this will be the first Vande Bharat train to feature sleeper coaches, making long journeys faster, more comfortable, and convenient for passengers.

Route and Benefited Districts

The train will connect Howrah and Guwahati, benefitting several districts along the route:

Assam: Kamrup Metropolitan, Bongaigaon
West Bengal: Cooch Behar, Jalpaiguri, Malda, Murshidabad, Purba Bardhaman, Hooghly, Howrah

Key Features of the Train

• Total Coaches: 16 (11 Three-Tier AC, 4 Two-Tier AC, 1 First AC)
• Passenger Capacity: 823 (Three-Tier: 611, Two-Tier: 188, First AC: 24)
• Design Speed: Up to 180 km/h (semi-high-speed)

Comfort and Facilities:

• Ergonomically designed berths with improved cushioning
• Automatic doors and vestibules for smooth movement between coaches
• Enhanced ride comfort with advanced suspension and noise reduction
• Kavach anti-collision and emergency talk-back systems
• Disinfectant technology for high sanitation standards
• Driver cab with advanced safety and control features
• Aerodynamic exterior with automatic passenger doors

Security: AI-powered CCTV cameras in all coaches
Catering: Special Bengali and Assamese cuisine for passengers

Fare (Guwahati to Howrah, including meals)

• Three-Tier AC: ₹2,300
• Two-Tier AC: ₹3,000
• First AC: ₹3,600

Per kilometre fare:

• First AC: ₹3.80
• Two-Tier AC: ₹3.10
• Three-Tier AC: ₹2.40

Faster Travel and Wildlife Safety

The new train will cut travel time by around 3 hours compared to existing services. On North-East rail tracks, special arrangements prioritize the safety of elephants and other wildlife. Optical fibre cables along the route detect elephant movement, alert the control room, and signal loco pilots to reduce speed.

• Total optical fibre laid: 1,375 km
• Completed so far: 62 km
• Vibration detection range: 200–300 metres

Production and Expansion Plan

Following the inauguration of the first train, eight more trains will be manufactured over the next six months, with a total of 12 trains expected by year-end.

This Vande Bharat Sleeper Train is a significant milestone under Indian Railways’ Atmanirbhar Bharat and Make in India initiatives, offering faster, safer, more comfortable, and affordable long-distance travel for passengers.