India’s First Vande Bharat Sleeper Train to Operate Between Guwahati and Kolkata

 Guwahati, 1 January, 2026: Union Minister for Railways, Information & Broadcasting, and Electronics & Information Technology, Ashwini Vaishnaw, stated at a meeting held at Rail Bhawan that India’s first Vande Bharat Sleeper Train will operate between Kamakhya in Assam and Howrah in West Bengal. He stated that all trials, testing and certification of the train have been successfully completed and informed that the Hon’ble Prime Minister Narendra Modi will flag off the inaugural service in January.

The launch of the Vande Bharat Sleeper Train marks a historic milestone for Indian Railways, ushering in a new era of modern, semi-high-speed overnight passenger services. Designed with a maximum speed potential of up to 180 kmph, the train seamlessly blends speed with worldclass sleeper amenities, significantly enhancing comfort, safety and operational efficiency for long-distance night journeys.

Highlighting future plans, the Minister stated that 2026 will be a year of major reforms for Indian Railways, with several passenger-centric initiatives in the pipeline. He underlined the train’s ergonomic interior design, enhanced safety features and region-specific onboard catering, noting that services will offer authentic Assamese and Bengali cuisines to provide passengers with a culturally rich and memorable travel experience.He further noted that fares for the Vande Bharat Sleeper Train will be significantly lower than airline fares on comparable routes, while still including meals, making it an affordable and value-driven option for overnight travel.

The 16-coach rake has a total passenger capacity of 823, comprising 11 AC 3-Tier coaches, 4 AC 2-Tier coaches and 1 First AC coach. Passengerfocused features include ergonomically designed cushioned berths, advanced suspension for superior ride comfort, noise reduction systems, automatic doors with vestibules and a modern Passenger Information System. Special provisions for Divyangjan passengers, contemporary toilets and advanced disinfectant technology further strengthen hygiene, accessibility and onboard comfort.

Safety remains a defining feature of the new-generation train. The Vande Bharat Sleeper is equipped with the Kavach safety system, emergency passenger talk-back units and a state-of-the-art driver cab with advanced controls. Its aerodynamic exterior and refined interiors reflect the latest achievements in indigenous rail engineering and design.

The introduction of this service will significantly enhance connectivity between Assam and West Bengal. Key beneficiary districts include Kamrup Metropolitan and Bongaigaon in Assam and Coochbehar, Jalpaiguri, Maldah, Murshidabad, Purba Bardhaman, Hooghly and Howrah in West Bengal, supporting regional mobility, trade, tourism and socio-economic development.

The commencement of India’s first Vande Bharat Sleeper Train reaffirms Indian Railways’ steadfast commitment to innovation, passenger-focused services and the vision of a modern, future ready railway network for  the nation.