India’s first Vande Bharat Sleeper train is set to begin operations next week, marking a major milestone in long‑distance rail travel. The Howrah–Kamakhya (Guwahati) Vande Bharat Sleeper service will provide a modern, fully air‑conditioned overnight connection between West bengal and Assam, enhancing rail connectivity in eastern india and the Northeast.
📅 Launch Date & Flag‑Off
- The train is expected to be flagged off on ~January 17–18, 2026 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
- The inaugural ceremony will be held around Malda Town, West Bengal, with additional new trains flagged off in the region.
🚆 Route, train Numbers & Stops
- The overnight Vande Bharat Sleeper will run between Howrah Junction (West Bengal) and Kamakhya Junction (Guwahati, Assam).
- Train numbers are:
• 27575 – Howrah → Kamakhya
• 27576 – Kamakhya → Howrah - Key stoppages on the route include:
• Bandel
• Nabadwip Dham
• Katwa
• Azimganj
• New Farakka
• Malda Town
• Aluabari Road
• New Jalpaiguri
• Jalpaiguri Road
• New Cooch Behar
• New Alipurduar
• New Bongaigaon
• Rangiya
This route connects important urban and regional centers across West bengal and Assam, offering passengers a faster overnight travel option.
⏱ Time Table & Frequency
- The service will operate six days a week, excluding one mid‑week day in each direction.
- Example timing from live timetable data:
• Kamakhya → Howrah: Departs ~6:15 PM, arrives ~8:15 AM next day.
• Howrah → Kamakhya: Departs ~6:20 PM, arrives ~8–8:30 AM next day.
The journey covers roughly 966 km overnight with modern sleeper accommodations.
💺 Features & Classes
- The Vande Bharat Sleeper is a fully air‑conditioned overnight train offering comfortable sleeping berths and enhanced passenger amenities.
- Coaches include:
• AC First Class
• AC 2‑Tier
• AC 3‑Tier - The rake has 16 coaches and a capacity to carry about 823 passengers.
It combines the comfort of overnight sleeping arrangements with semi‑high‑speed operation — designed for speeds up to 130 km/h in service, and certified at 180 km/h in trials.
💰 Fare Estimates
Initial pricing (indicative) is expected to be:
- AC 3‑Tier: ~₹2,300
- AC 2‑Tier: ~₹3,000
- AC First Class: ~₹3,600
This positions the service between conventional overnight trains and premium daytime services in terms of cost.
📍 Significance
- This is the first sleeper variant of a Vande Bharat train, aimed at transforming long‑distance rail travel with modern comfort and speed.
- It addresses demand for overnight connectivity between kolkata and the northeast, traditionally served by slower mail and express trains.
- The new service also reflects indian Railways’ broader push to expand premium and semi‑high‑speed travel options across the network.
Summary: India’s first Howrah–Kamakhya Vande Bharat Sleeper train is set to launch around January 17–18, 2026, connecting Howrah and guwahati with modern overnight AC sleeper service. With multiple stops en route, comfortable coaches, and night‑long travel, it promises to be a significant upgrade for passengers traveling between eastern india and the Northeast.
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