India marked a major milestone in long-distance rail travel with the launch of its first Vande Bharat Sleeper Train, flagged off by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday. The new service is designed specifically for overnight journeys and aims to combine speed, comfort and advanced safety features.
The launch took place during the Prime Minister’s visit to West Bengal and Assam on January 17 and 18.
Route and Coverage
The Vande Bharat Sleeper Train will operate between Howrah (West Bengal) and Guwahati (Kamakhya), Assam, a high-density rail corridor that connects Eastern and North-Eastern India.
Several districts are expected to benefit directly, including Howrah, Hooghly, Purba Bardhaman, Murshidabad, Malda, Jalpaiguri and Cooch Behar in West Bengal, and Kamrup Metropolitan and Bongaigaon in Assam. The service is also likely to support pilgrims travelling to Kalighat Temple and Kamakhya Devi Temple.
Railway officials said the route sees daily movement of lakhs of passengers, including students, workers, traders and families, making it ideal for a faster overnight train.
Travel Time Advantage
Currently, the fastest train on this route—the Saraighat Express—takes about 17 hours to cover the nearly 966 km distance.
Once fully operational, the Vande Bharat Sleeper Train is expected to complete the journey in around 14 hours, saving passengers nearly three hours, according to a government release.
Fare Details
Positioned as a premium yet cost-effective alternative to air travel, the indicative fares are:
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₹2,300 for 3 AC
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₹3,000 for 2 AC
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₹3,600 for First AC
The pricing offers modern amenities at a significantly lower cost than flights on the same route.
Speed, Coaches and Ride Quality
The train comprises 16 modern coaches with a total passenger capacity of 823. It is capable of operating at speeds of up to 180 kmph.
An advanced suspension system has been introduced to minimise vibrations and jerks, ensuring a smoother and more comfortable overnight journey. The aerodynamic design also helps maintain stability at high speeds.
Sleeping Berths and Passenger Comfort
The Vande Bharat Sleeper features ergonomically designed sleeping berths for better body support during long journeys. Automatic doors with vestibules between coaches allow safe and easy movement inside the train.
Additional passenger-friendly features include:
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USB charging ports
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Dedicated luggage space
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Divyangjan-friendly facilities
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Modular pantries
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Advanced fire safety systems
All coaches are equipped with CCTV surveillance and an emergency talk-back system that enables passengers to directly contact train staff if needed.
Cleanliness and Catering
The train includes modern toilets with advanced disinfectant technology to maintain hygiene throughout the journey.
Onboard catering services will offer region-specific cuisine. Trains departing from Guwahati will serve Assamese dishes, while those starting from Howrah will feature traditional Bengali food.
Safety and Crew Facilities
The sleeper train is fitted with the indigenous Kavach automatic train protection system, designed to prevent collisions and enhance operational safety.
Loco pilots will benefit from ergonomically designed driver cabins to reduce fatigue during long duty hours, along with dedicated and well-equipped toilet facilities.
Vande Bharat Network So Far
As of December 2025, 164 Vande Bharat services have been operationalised across 274 districts, carrying more than 7.5 crore passengers, according to official data.
The first Vande Bharat Express was launched on February 15, 2019, on the New Delhi–Varanasi route, introducing features such as automatic doors, GPS-based passenger information systems and regenerative braking.
