Indian Railways is all set to start 2026 with the launch of its first-ever Vande Bharat sleeper train, which will mark a crucial upgrade in overnight train travel. The sleeper class will run between Assam’s Guwahati and West Bengal’s Howrah, informed Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi likely to flag off the inaugural run in the second half of January 2026. The announcement was made in a press release issued by the Ministry of Railways and published by the
Press Information Bureau (PIB).
Vaishnaw made the announcement at a New Year meeting at Rail Bhawan in New Delhi, adding that trials, testing and certification of the Vande Bharat Sleeper Train had already been completed. He termed the development a game changer for Indian Railways and said 2026 will witness many passenger-centric reforms.
“The testing and certification of the Vande Bharat Sleeper train have been completed, and its first proposed route is Guwahati–Kolkata. Prime Minister Modi will flag off the inaugural service on this route in the coming days,” Vaishnaw said.
According to officials, every category of travellers, such as business travellers, tourists and even students are expected to majorly benefit from this Guwahati-Howrah service.
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Will India get its first bullet train by 2027? Here’s the latest official update on routes and timelines explained The train will travel through and also cater to Kamrup Metropolitan and Bongaigaon districts in Assam, Coochbehar, Jalpaiguri, Maldah, Murshidabad, Purba Bardhaman, Hooghly and Howrah in West Bengal.
The train will come equipped with 16 fully air-conditioned coaches, comprising 11 AC three-tier, four AC two-tier, and one first-class AC coach, with a total capacity of 823 passengers. Fares are expected to be around INR 2,300 for 3AC, INR 3,000 for 2AC, and INR 3,600 for First AC, inclusive of food.
The timings of the train are meant to cater for overnight travel where one can leave in the evenings and arrive early morning. Passenger will get to taste the regional delicacies too, like on Guwahati originating trains where they would be served Assamese, and trains starting from Kolkata, will get Bengali food.
Key features of the Vande Bharat Sleeper train
Semi-high-speed train with a design speed of up to 180 kmph
Ergonomically designed berths with improved cushioning and comfort
Automatic doors with vestibules for smoother inter-coach movement
Superior suspension system for enhanced ride comfort and reduced noise
Kavach anti-collision system for improved operational safety
Emergency talk-back units enabling direct communication with train staff
CCTV surveillance in all coaches
Aerosol-based fire detection and suppression systems in electrical cabinets and lavatories
Sanitization: Disinfecting technology to maintain the highest level of sanitation
Driver cab with advanced controls and safety systems
Aerodynamic exterior design with automatic exterior passenger doors
Special facilities for Divyangjan passengers
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The final high-speed trial of the indigenously built Vande Bharat Sleeper Train was recently completed on the Kota–Nagda section, where it reached its design speed of 180 kmph. According to Vaishnaw, two sleeper train sets are already ready, and more will be introduced on long-distance routes of 1,200 to 1,500 kilometres in the coming months.
The launch of this Vande Bharat Sleeper Train will usher in a new era for Indian Railways, combining high speed travel along with comfort, safety and design, which will revolutionise night train journey in India.