Indian Railways is set to usher in a new era of overnight rail travel with the launch of the country’s first-ever Vande Bharat Sleeper Train. In a major New Year announcement that has generated excitement among long-distance travellers, Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw confirmed that the inaugural sleeper variant of the Vande Bharat Express will be rolled out in January 2026, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi expected to flag off the service in the second half of the month, tentatively around January 18.

Designed specifically for long-haul and overnight journeys, the Vande Bharat Sleeper marks a significant upgrade from conventional sleeper trains. It combines semi-high-speed performance with modern comfort, advanced safety systems, and premium onboard amenities—positioning it as a game changer for intercity travel over distances of 1,200 to 1,500 kilometres.

First Vande Bharat Sleeper Route: Guwahati–Howrah Corridor

The first Vande Bharat Sleeper Train will operate between Guwahati (Kamakhya) in Assam and Howrah in West Bengal, connecting the Northeast with eastern India through a faster, fully air-conditioned overnight service.

According to Ashwini Vaishnaw, two sleeper trainsets are already ready, have successfully completed trial runs, and will initially be deployed on this route. The service will be maintained and operated by the Eastern Railway (ER) zone.

The Guwahati–Howrah Vande Bharat Sleeper is expected to significantly enhance regional connectivity, benefiting the following districts:

Assam

• Kamrup Metropolitan

• Bongaigaon

West Bengal

• Coochbehar

• Jalpaiguri

• Maldah

• Murshidabad

• Purba Bardhaman

• Hooghly

• Howrah

By linking these districts through a modern overnight train, Indian Railways aims to reduce travel time while offering a safer and more comfortable alternative to traditional long-distance services.

Coach Composition, Capacity and Travel Experience

Each Vande Bharat Sleeper train will run with 16 fully air-conditioned coaches, designed to provide a premium yet practical overnight travel experience.

Coach Configuration

• 11 AC 3-Tier coaches

• 4 AC 2-Tier coaches

• 1 AC First Class coach

The total passenger capacity of the train is approximately 823 passengers.

Unlike chair car versions of Vande Bharat that focus on short daytime journeys, this sleeper variant has been purpose-built for night travel. The train is expected to depart in the evening and reach its destination early the next morning, offering a seamless overnight journey for business travellers, families, and long-distance commuters.

Stoppages on the Howrah–Guwahati Vande Bharat Sleeper Route

During its journey between Howrah and Guwahati, the Vande Bharat Sleeper will halt at eight key stations, ensuring accessibility while maintaining speed efficiency.

• Bandel Junction

• Katwa

• New Farakka

• Malda Town

• New Jalpaiguri

• New Coochbehar

• New Bongaigaon

The train will also run via Bandel Junction, a key railway hub in West Bengal.

While the exact timetable has not yet been released, the Railway Minister has confirmed that the service will operate as an evening departure train.

Vande Bharat Sleeper Train Fares: No Dynamic Pricing

Indian Railways has announced fixed fares for the Vande Bharat Sleeper, making it clear that dynamic pricing will not apply to this service.

One-Way Ticket Prices (Howrah–Guwahati / Guwahati–Howrah)

• AC 3-Tier: ₹2,300

• AC 2-Tier: ₹3,000

• AC First Class: ₹3,600

Importantly, Ashwini Vaishnaw confirmed that the cost of food will be included in the ticket fare, offering passengers a more transparent pricing structure.

“There will be no dynamic fare,” the minister stated, adding that passengers will not have to pay extra for onboard meals.

वंदे भारत स्लीपर का कंप्लीट टेस्टिंग और सर्टिफिकेशन पूरा हो चुका है और इसका पहला रूट गुवाहाटी से कोलकाता होगा। माननीय प्रधानमंत्री श्री @narendramodi जी आगामी कुछ ही दिनों में इस रूट पर पहली वंदे भारत स्लीपर को फ्लैग ऑफ करेंगे: माननीय रेल मंत्री श्री @AshwiniVaishnaw जी pic.twitter.com/sTjlnqWj7A— Ministry of Railways (@RailMinIndia) January 1, 2026

Regional Food Menu on Board

One of the standout features of the Vande Bharat Sleeper service is its region-specific food menu, aimed at enhancing the cultural experience of travel.

• On the Guwahati–Howrah journey, passengers will be served Assamese cuisine

• On the Howrah–Guwahati journey, travellers can expect traditional Bengali dishes

This approach mirrors the broader Vande Bharat philosophy of offering local flavours while maintaining high-quality catering standards.

High-Speed Trials and Performance Benchmarks

Ashwini Vaishnaw recently shared a video on X (formerly Twitter) showcasing the Vande Bharat Sleeper during high-speed trials on the Indian Railways network.

During test runs conducted on the Kota–Nagda section, the train achieved its maximum design speed of 180 kmph. One of the most striking demonstrations of stability involved glasses filled with water remaining perfectly balanced, with no spillage even at speeds exceeding 180 kmph.

“Vande Bharat Sleeper tested today by Commissioner of Railway Safety. It ran at 180 kmph between Kota–Nagda section. And our own water test demonstrated the technological features of this new generation train,” Vaishnaw wrote.

While the train is designed for 160 kmph operational speeds, actual service speeds will depend on track infrastructure along different sections of the rail network.

नए सस्पेंशन के साथ पूरी तरह नई डिजाइन की बोगी तैयार की गई है। डिजाइन के पैरामीटर्स को एक नए स्तर पर ले जाया गया है। इसकी एर्गोनॉमिक डिजाइन वाले इंटीरियर्स और लैडर्स- हर जगह सेफ्टी और सिक्योरिटी के लिए विशेष पैरामीटर्स रखे गए हैं: माननीय रेल मंत्री श्री @AshwiniVaishnaw जी pic.twitter.com/K2bKvAhNuB— Ministry of Railways (@RailMinIndia) January 1, 2026

Advanced Features of the Vande Bharat Sleeper Train

The Vande Bharat Sleeper has been developed as the sleeping-class counterpart of the existing Vande Bharat chair car trains and incorporates several modern features inspired by European train design standards.

Comfort and Interior Design

• Ergonomically designed, cushioned berths

• Improved access to upper berths

• Soft night-time lighting for comfortable sleep

• Personal reading lights at each berth

• Foldable snack tables

• Interiors finished with GFRP panels

Passenger Amenities

• Power charging points

• Modular pantry units

• Public address system integrated with visual information displays

• Fully sealed gangways for better air quality

• Automated inter-coach doors

• Automatic doors at designated stations

Toilets and Accessibility

• Advanced bio-vacuum toilets, similar to aircraft systems

• Toilets designed for persons with disabilities

• Baby care area

• Shower facilities with hot water in the AC First Class coach

Safety, Energy Efficiency and Monitoring Systems

Safety has been a major focus in the design of the Vande Bharat Sleeper.

• Indigenous KAVACH anti-collision system

• CCTV cameras across coaches

• Regenerative braking system to improve energy efficiency

• Centralised Coach Monitoring System

• Emergency communication feature allowing passengers to directly contact the locomotive pilot

These systems collectively ensure a safer, smoother, and more reliable journey, particularly during overnight operations.

Vande Bharat Sleeper tested today by Commissioner Railway Safety. It ran at 180 kmph between Kota Nagda section. And our own water test demonstrated the technological features of this new generation train. pic.twitter.com/w0tE0Jcp2h— Ashwini Vaishnaw (@AshwiniVaishnaw) December 30, 2025

Manufacturing and Future Expansion Plans

At present, two prototype Vande Bharat Sleeper rakes have been produced by BEML, with technology support from the Integral Coach Factory (ICF).

Indian Railways has ambitious expansion plans:

• 10 sleeper trainsets are being jointly manufactured by BEML and ICF

• Another 10 rakes are being built by Kinet, a joint venture involving Indian and Russian entities

• A consortium led by Titagarh Rail Systems, in partnership with BHEL, has secured an order to manufacture 80 sleeper-class Vande Bharat trains

• Separately, ICF is also developing its own sleeper configuration as an internal project

According to Ashwini Vaishnaw, eight more Vande Bharat Sleeper trains will be rolled out within the next six months, taking the total to 12 by the end of 2026. In the long term, Indian Railways plans to introduce over 200 sleeper Vande Bharat trains across the country.

A Major Milestone for Indian Railways

Speaking at a meeting in Rail Bhawan, New Delhi, Ashwini Vaishnaw described the launch of the Vande Bharat Sleeper as a landmark achievement for Indian Railways and long-distance passengers alike. He added that 2026 will be a year of major reforms, with several passenger-centric initiatives planned to modernise rail travel.

With its blend of speed, comfort, safety, and regional flavour, the Howrah–Guwahati Vande Bharat Sleeper Train represents a decisive step toward redefining overnight journeys in India—setting a new benchmark for long-distance rail travel in the country.

With inputs from agencies

Image Source: Multiple agencies

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