NewsGate Press Network

Indian Railway network began a new chapter on Saturday the 17th of January 2026 when the Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagged off India’s first Vande Bharat Sleeper Train between Howrah and Guwahati (Kamakhya) at Malda town railway station.

The new sleeper Vande Bharat class of trains are now considered to be the next level of Rajdhani Express.

On Saturday the Prime Minister also virtually flagged off the Guwahati-Howrah Vande Bharat Sleeper.

The fully air-conditioned Vande Bharat Sleeper train is set to offer passengers an airline-like travel experience at economical fares.

It will make long-distance journeys faster, safer, and more convenient.

The Vande Bharat Sleeper train comprises 16 modern coaches with a total capacity of 823 passengers.

A semi-high-speed train with a speed of up to 180 kilometres per hour, the Vande Bharat Sleeper Train combines modern amenities with faster travel times.

The 16-coach Vande Bharat Sleeper has been designed to cater to long-distance passenger travel and is equipped with state-of-the-art passenger amenities.

These include comfortable sleeper berths, automatic doors, the KAVACH safety system, modern toilets, fire detection and safety monitoring systems, CCTV-based surveillance and digital passenger information systems.

The fare for this Vande Bharat sleeper train will be around two thousand 300 rupees with food for third AC, three thousand rupees for 2nd AC and three thousand 600 rupees for 1st AC.

The fully AC train will have the capacity to accommodate around 823 passengers.

The train originating from Guwahati will feature authentic Assamese cuisine, while the train starting from Kolkata will serve traditional Bengali delicacies, ensuring a delightful and culturally rich dining experience on board.