First Sleeper Vande Bharat Begins a New Era of Overnight Rail Travel

Image Credit: PTI / Indian Railways

The launch of the first sleeper vande bharat marks a defining moment for Indian Railways, signalling the transition of the Vande Bharat ecosystem from short daytime intercity services to long distance overnight journeys. Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagged off the inaugural service from Malda Town in West Bengal, connecting eastern India with the Northeast through a modern, semi high speed sleeper train designed for comfort, safety and efficiency. The first sleeper vande bharat will operate on the strategically important Howrah Guwahati Kamakhya corridor, one of the busiest long distance routes in the region.

This historic rollout places India among a select group of countries operating indigenous semi high speed sleeper trains and reinforces the government’s focus on modernising rail infrastructure while improving passenger experience on long journeys.

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Historic Flag Off from Malda Town

Image Credit: PTI

The inauguration ceremony took place at Malda Town railway station, where the Prime Minister formally flagged off the first sleeper vande bharat amid strong political and symbolic messaging. Speaking at the event, he described the train as a cultural bridge between the land of Ma Kali in Bengal and the land of Ma Kamakhya in Assam. Alongside the train launch, foundation stones for road and railway projects worth over ₹3,250 crore were also laid, underlining the broader infrastructure push in poll bound West Bengal.

The inaugural run was conducted between Malda Town and Kamakhya, while the return Kamakhya Howrah service was flagged off virtually. This phased inaugural operation allowed railway authorities to manage ceremonial schedules without disrupting operational safety.

Read also: India First Bullet Train: Routes, Phases, and Everything

Route and Operational Overview

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The first sleeper vande bharat is designed to run regularly between Howrah in West Bengal and Kamakhya near Guwahati in Assam. Once fully operational, the train will run six days a week in both directions, departing Howrah at around 6.20 pm and Kamakhya at around 6.15 pm, completing the journey in approximately 14 hours.

Compared to conventional overnight trains on this corridor, the new service is expected to reduce travel time by up to six hours, depending on traffic conditions and final timetabling. This improvement is particularly significant for business travellers, pilgrims and tourists heading to Assam and the wider Northeast region.

Inaugural Special Train Numbers and Schedule

Image Credit: Northeast Frontier Railway

For the inaugural run, the services operated as special trains with temporary numbers. Train number 02075 ran as the Malda Town to Kamakhya inaugural special, while train number 02076 operated as the Kamakhya to Howrah inaugural special. On January 17, train 02075 departed Malda Town at 12.45 hrs and reached Kamakhya at 22.45 hrs the same day. Train 02076 departed Kamakhya at 12.45 hrs and arrived at Howrah at 03.25 hrs the following morning.

Railway officials clarified that these timings were subject to adjustment due to inauguration protocols and that regular schedules would be notified separately.

Stoppages on the Inaugural Run

Image Credit: Wikimedia Commons / Indian Railways

During its inaugural journey, the first sleeper vande bharat halted at selected stations to cover major population and transit hubs along the route. The Kamakhya to Howrah service stopped at Rangiya, New Bongaigaon, New Alipurduar, New Coochbehar, Jalpaiguri Road, New Jalpaiguri, Aluabari Road, Malda Town, New Farakka, Azimganj, Katwa, Nabadwip Dham and Bandel.

The Malda Town to Kamakhya service had fewer halts, stopping at Aluabari Road, New Jalpaiguri, Jalpaiguri Road, New Coochbehar, New Alipurduar, New Bongaigaon and Rangiya. This selective stoppage strategy reflects the train’s semi high speed positioning.

Design, Development and Technology

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Developed by BEML using Integral Coach Factory technology, the first sleeper vande bharat represents a major leap in indigenous rail manufacturing. The rake consists of 16 fully air conditioned sleeper coaches designed for long distance comfort. Although the train is engineered for a top speed of 180 kmph, operational speeds are expected to be capped between 120 and 130 kmph to align with existing track and signalling infrastructure.

Advanced suspension systems, noise reduction measures and vibration control have been integrated to ensure a smooth overnight ride, a critical factor for sleeper services.

Passenger Comfort and Onboard Experience

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Comfort has been positioned as a central pillar of the first sleeper vande bharat. The berths feature ergonomic designs, improved cushioning and enhanced privacy compared to conventional sleeper coaches. Hygiene standards have been upgraded with advanced disinfectant technologies capable of eliminating up to 99 percent of germs, along with fresh linens and towels for all passengers.

Automatic sliding doors remain closed during transit and open only at stations, improving safety and temperature control. Modern surveillance systems and the indigenous Kavach automatic train protection system further strengthen onboard security.

Local Cuisine and Catering Model

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Catering on the first sleeper vande bharat follows a premium airline style model, with meals included in the ticket fare. Passengers travelling from Kamakhya to Howrah are served Assamese cuisine, while those travelling from Howrah to Kamakhya enjoy Bengali dishes. The Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation has partnered with Mayfair Spring Valley Resort in Guwahati as the official caterer, ensuring regional authenticity and quality.

This approach aims to elevate the perception of long distance rail travel and differentiate the service from traditional overnight trains.

Fare Structure and Booking Rules

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The first sleeper vande bharat offers three classes of travel: 3AC, 2AC and 1AC. Indicative fares range from approximately ₹2,300 for 3AC to around ₹3,600 for 1AC, with premium peak fares reportedly going higher on full length journeys. Unlike conventional trains, there is no RAC or waitlist facility, reinforcing its premium positioning and capacity discipline.

Ticket bookings are handled through IRCTC, with railway authorities advising passengers to check official notifications for final fare slabs and schedules.

Strategic and Economic Significance

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Beyond passenger convenience, the first sleeper vande bharat carries strategic importance. By significantly improving connectivity between West Bengal and Assam, it supports trade, tourism and religious travel to key destinations in the Northeast. The launch also aligns with Indian Railways’ broader plan to deploy hundreds of Vande Bharat trainsets by 2030 and thousands by 2047, reinforcing self reliance in rail manufacturing.

For travellers, it represents a tangible shift towards faster, safer and more comfortable overnight journeys, narrowing the gap between rail and air travel on medium haul routes.

What Lies Ahead

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The successful introduction of the first sleeper vande bharat is expected to pave the way for similar services on other long distance corridors across India. Routes linking metros with regional hubs are likely candidates, particularly where overnight travel demand remains strong. As infrastructure upgrades progress, operational speeds and service reliability are also expected to improve.

For now, the Howrah Guwahati service stands as a flagship example of how Indian Railways is redefining long distance travel in the country.