Launch of India's First Sleeper Vande Bharat Express Enhances Northeast Connectivity

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has inaugurated India's first Vande Bharat Express with sleeper coaches, enhancing connectivity between Howrah and Guwahati. This fully air-conditioned train aims to reduce travel time significantly, making long-distance journeys more comfortable. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma highlighted the importance of this launch for the region, noting the modern amenities included in the train. The initiative is expected to boost tourism and religious travel along the route. Modi's visit to Assam also includes the foundation stone laying for the Kaziranga elevated corridor and the launch of additional trains, marking a significant commitment to improving infrastructure in the Northeast.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jan 17, 2026, 15:14 IST

Introduction of Sleeper Vande Bharat Express

Guwahati, Jan 17: In a significant step towards improving connectivity in the Northeast, Prime Minister Narendra Modi virtually inaugurated India's inaugural Vande Bharat Express featuring sleeper coaches, which will run between Howrah and Guwahati (Kamakhya).

This fully air-conditioned sleeper train was launched from Malda Town station in northern Bengal, representing a key achievement in the modernization efforts of Indian Railways.

Designed for semi-high-speed travel, this train aims to enhance long-distance journeys by making them quicker, safer, and more comfortable, cutting down travel time on the Howrah–Guwahati route by approximately 2.5 hours.

During a press conference at Kamakhya station in Guwahati, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma emphasized that the launch of the sleeper Vande Bharat is a historic occasion for the region.

“This train comes with numerous modern amenities, including CCTV surveillance. Additionally, the Prime Minister will present two more trains to the people of Assam tomorrow. Typically, such trains are inaugurated in major cities like Delhi or Kolkata, but now Assam has the honor of hosting India’s first Vande Bharat sleeper train. This showcases the Prime Minister’s commitment to Assam and the Northeast,” Sarma stated.

He also mentioned that the travel duration between Kolkata and Guwahati will now be reduced to about 14 hours on the Vande Bharat Sleeper Express.

As per a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), the sleeper variant of the Vande Bharat has been created to cater to the changing transportation demands of contemporary India, aiming to provide passengers with an airline-like experience at affordable prices.

The reduction in travel time is anticipated to promote tourism and religious travel along the Howrah–Guwahati corridor, according to the PMO's announcement.

Importantly, Prime Minister Modi is scheduled to visit Assam for two days, marking his second trip to the state within a month.

Upon his arrival in Guwahati on the evening of January 17, he will observe a performance of the Bodo folk dance ‘Bagurumba’ featuring 10,000 performers at the Arjun Bhogeswar Barua Sports Stadium.

The following day, the Prime Minister will head to Kaliabor to lay the foundation stone for the Rs 6,957 crore Kaziranga elevated corridor. He is also expected to virtually launch two Amrit Bharat Express trains—Dibrugarh–Gomti Nagar (Lucknow) and Kamakhya–Rohtak—before addressing a public gathering at Kaliabor to conclude his visit.