Premium overnight rail service connects Bengal and Assam capitals
Travelers in Eastern India are set to experience a major upgrade in rail connectivity as Indian Railways prepares to launch the country’s first Vande Bharat Sleeper train. Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw confirmed on Thursday that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will likely flag off this premium service between Kolkata (Howrah) and Guwahati (Kamakhya) by January 20.
Route and Schedule
Designed to boost the Purvodaya initiative for the development of the Northeast, this overnight train will traverse nine districts across West Bengal and Assam. Major stops include Hooghly, Purba Bardhaman, Murshidabad, Malda, Jalpaiguri, Cooch Behar, and Bongaigaon.
Configuration and Capacity
The 16-coach train is designed for maximum passenger comfort, offering a total capacity of 823 berths. The configuration includes:
Fare Structure and Amenities
Minister Vaishnaw emphasized affordability, stating that fares are kept substantially lower than air travel with no dynamic pricing.
Passengers can expect a culinary treat, with the train serving Assamese cuisine on the journey from Guwahati and Bengali dishes on the return leg from Kolkata.
Safety and Speed
While the train is capable of hitting 180 kmph, it will operate at a maximum speed of 130 kmph for safety reasons. The rake is equipped with the indigenous Kavach automatic train protection system, advanced fire safety measures, and disinfectant technology.
Future Plans and Bullet Train Update
This launch is just the beginning. The Railway Ministry plans to roll out eight more Vande Bharat Sleeper trains within the next six months. On the manufacturing front, Vaishnaw noted that these "Made-in-India" trains cost approximately Rs 8-8.5 crore per coach, which is more economical than standard metro coaches.
In a separate update, the Minister also announced that the first section of India’s bullet train project, connecting Surat to Bilimora, will be operational by August 15, 2027.
