Prime Minister Narendra Modi today flagged off India’s first Vande Bharat Sleeper train from Malda Town Railway Station in West Bengal, marking a historic milestone in Indian Railways’ modernisation journey.
The new overnight service connects Howrah (near Kolkata) to Guwahati (Kamakhya) in Assam, reducing travel time by about 2.5 hours compared to conventional trains. The fully air-conditioned, 16-coach train offers 11 AC 3-tier, 4 AC 2-tier, and 1 AC First Class coaches, with a total capacity of around 823 passengers, providing airline-like comfort at affordable fares.
The train will operate six days a week, departing Howrah at 6:20 PM and Kamakhya at 6:15 PM, completing the journey in approximately 14 hours. It includes advanced safety features like the KAVACH anti-collision system, regenerative braking, CCTV monitoring, and emergency communication units.
PM Modi also virtually flagged off the return service from Guwahati and highlighted the train’s role in connecting the “land of Maa Kali to the land of Maa Kamakhya,” boosting tourism, trade, and regional connectivity in eastern and northeastern India.
This launch is part of a broader push to introduce premium sleeper services, with more Vande Bharat Sleeper trains expected across the country in the coming years.
