Indian Railways is preparing to launch its first sleeper-class Vande Bharat train on the 958 km Howrah–Kamakhya (Guwahati) route. The service marks the introduction of overnight travel in the Vande Bharat fleet.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the train on Saturday, January 17. The route will link major districts across West Bengal and Assam, including Hooghly, Purba Bardhaman, Murshidabad, Malda, Jalpaiguri, Coochbehar in West Bengal, and Kamrup Metropolitan and Bongaigaon in Assam.
The train will have 16 coaches: 11 three-tier AC, four two-tier AC, and one first-class AC coach, with a total seating and sleeping capacity of about 823 passengers.
Key features include automatic sliding doors with vestibules, Kavach anti-collision technology, an emergency talk-back system, and CCTV surveillance.
Fare details
For the full Howrah–Kamakhya journey:
- 3AC: ₹2,299
- 2AC: ₹2,970
- 1AC: ₹3,640
For shorter routes:
- Howrah–New Jalpaiguri: ₹1,334 (3AC), ₹1,724 (2AC), ₹2,113 (1AC)
- Howrah–Malda Town: ₹960 (3AC), ₹1,240 (2AC), ₹1,520 (1AC)
From Kamakhya:
- Kamakhya–Malda Town: ₹1,522 (3AC), ₹1,965 (2AC), ₹2,409 (1AC)
- Kamakhya–New Jalpaiguri: ₹962 (3AC), ₹1,243 (2AC), ₹1,524 (1AC)
A 5 percent GST will be added to the ticket price. Fares are calculated with a minimum chargeable distance of 400 km for this premium sleeper service.
West Bengal BJP president Samik Bhattacharya confirmed that the Prime Minister will flag off the Vande Bharat Sleeper on the same day. PM Modi will also inaugurate the Amrit Bharat Express from Malda to Kamakhya and later address a public gathering.
The new service is expected to strengthen direct rail connectivity between South Bengal and several key towns in North Bengal.
