Delhi, January 1:Union Minister for Railways, Information & Broadcasting, and Electronics & Information Technology, Ashwini Vaishnaw, extended warm New Year greetings at a meeting at Rail Bhawan, New Delhi on Thursday while announcing that the first-ever Vande Bharat Sleeper Train will operate between Guwahati in Assam and Howrah in West Bengal.
He stated that the complete trial, testing, and certification of the Vande Bharat Sleeper Train have been successfully completed. In the month of January, Hon’ble Prime Minister, Narendra Modi will flag off the first Vande Bharat Sleeper Train on this route. The Minister stated that this development represents a significant milestone for Indian Railways, the nation, and its rail passengers. He also mentioned that 2026 will be a year of major reforms for Indian Railways, with several passenger-centric initiatives set to be introduced.
The districts benefitted by the Vande Bharat Sleeper Train include Kamrup Metropolitan and Bongaigaon in Assam State, and Coochbehar, Jalpaiguri, Maldah, Murshidabad, Purba Bardhaman, Hooghly, and Howrah in West Bengal State. The train will have 16 coaches, including 11 three-tier AC coaches, 4 two-tier AC coaches, and 1 first-class AC coach, with a total capacity of around 823 passengers.
Ashwini Vaishnaw stated that a completely newly designed bogie with new suspension has been developed. The design parameters have been taken to a new level. Its interiors and ladders feature an ergonomic design, with special parameters implemented throughout for safety and security.
The Vande Bharat Sleeper Train will offer a comfortable, safe, and high-quality travel experience for overnight journeys. The timetable of the Vande Bharat Sleeper Train will be planned in such a way that it departs from its origin in the evening and reaches its destination early the next morning.
Passengers on the Vande Bharat Sleeper Train will enjoy region-specific culinary offerings during their journey. Train originating from Guwahati will feature authentic Assamese cuisine, while train starting from Kolkata will serve traditional Bengali delicacies, ensuring a delightful and culturally rich dining experience on board.
