Indian Railways is poised to usher in a new era of overnight rail travel with the imminent launch of the Vande Bharat Sleeper Express, its first long-distance sleeper variant under the flagship Vande Bharat programme. Designed specifically for night journeys and inter-state travel, the new train is scheduled to be flagged off by Prime Minister Narendra Modi this week on the Howrah–Kamakhya (Guwahati) route.

Ahead of the inaugural run, Indian Railways has officially notified the fare structure, ticket pricing, onboard features, speed capability, and reservation rules for the Vande Bharat Sleeper, positioning it as a premium yet technologically advanced alternative to conventional long-distance express trains.

A New Benchmark in Overnight Rail Travel

The Vande Bharat Sleeper has been conceptualised as the long-haul counterpart to the popular Vande Bharat chair car services currently operating on short and medium-distance routes across the country. Unlike chair car versions meant for daytime travel, the sleeper variant is fully air-conditioned, purpose-built for overnight journeys covering approximately 1,200 to 1,500 kilometres.

Developed entirely in-house by Indian Railways, the trainset reflects a combination of modern European design principles and indigenous safety technology. The first service will cover a distance of 958 kilometres between Howrah and Kamakhya, with overnight departure and morning arrival, making it ideal for passengers travelling between eastern and northeastern India.

Coach Composition and Passenger Capacity

The inaugural Vande Bharat Sleeper Express will operate with 16 coaches, configured to accommodate 823 passengers in total. The rake includes:

• 11 AC 3-tier coaches

• 4 AC 2-tier coaches

• 1 First AC (1AC) coach

This composition ensures a balanced mix of premium and mid-range accommodation, catering to a wide segment of overnight travellers.

Fare Structure and Ticket Prices Announced

Indian Railways has set the Vande Bharat Sleeper fares at a slightly higher level than existing premium trains, reflecting the enhanced speed, comfort, and technology on offer. Importantly, the Railway Board has introduced a minimum chargeable distance of 400 kilometres, meaning passengers will be required to pay at least the fare corresponding to that distance, irrespective of shorter travel.

Howrah to Guwahati (Kamakhya) Fares

• AC 3-tier: ₹2,299 + 5% GST

• AC 2-tier: ₹2,970 + 5% GST

• First AC (1AC): ₹3,640 + 5% GST

Intermediate Station Fares from Howrah

• Howrah to New Jalpaiguri

  • AC 3-tier: ₹1,334

  • AC 2-tier: ₹1,724

  • 1AC: ₹2,113

• Howrah to Malda Town

  • AC 3-tier: ₹960

  • AC 2-tier: ₹1,240

  • 1AC: ₹1,520

Fares from Kamakhya

• Kamakhya to Malda Town

  • AC 3-tier: ₹1,522

  • AC 2-tier: ₹1,965

  • 1AC: ₹2,409

• Kamakhya to New Jalpaiguri

  • AC 3-tier: ₹962

  • AC 2-tier: ₹1,243

  • 1AC: ₹1,524

Flat Per-Kilometre Fare Formula

The Railway Board has also notified a uniform per-kilometre fare structure for Vande Bharat sleeper services:

• AC 3-tier: ₹2.4 per km

• AC 2-tier: ₹3.1 per km

• First AC: ₹3.8 per km

Based on this formula, fares work out as follows (excluding GST):

• 1–400 km (minimum fare)

  • 3AC: ₹960

  • 2AC: ₹1,240

  • 1AC: ₹1,520

• 1,000 km

  • 3AC: ₹2,400

  • 2AC: ₹3,100

  • 1AC: ₹3,800

• 2,000 km

  • 3AC: ₹4,800

  • 2AC: ₹6,200

  • 1AC: ₹7,600

• 3,000 km

  • 3AC: ₹7,200

  • 2AC: ₹9,300

  • 1AC: ₹11,400

GST will be levied separately on all ticket prices.

No RAC or Waitlist: Only Confirmed Tickets Allowed

In a significant departure from traditional long-distance trains, the Vande Bharat Sleeper Express will not offer Reservation Against Cancellation (RAC) or waitlisted tickets. According to a Railway Board circular issued on January 9, only confirmed berths will be issued for this service.

“All available berths will be available from the day of the Advance Reservation Period. There shall be no provision for RAC, waitlisted, or partially confirmed tickets,” the circular stated.

This is notable because, under RAC provisions in other trains, two passengers are often required to share a side lower berth. While waitlisted tickets in AC classes are usually cancelled automatically, RAC tickets are commonly issued. The new policy aims to enhance passenger comfort and eliminate berth-sharing compromises.

However, standard quotas for women, senior citizens, persons with disabilities (PwD) and duty pass holders will continue to apply.

Faster Travel Time Than Existing Express Trains

The Vande Bharat Sleeper is expected to reduce travel time by approximately three hours compared to existing express services on the Howrah–Guwahati corridor.

While the train is designed to achieve speeds of up to 180 kmph, as demonstrated during test runs on the Kota–Nagda section, operational speed on this route will be limited to 130 kmph due to track and safety considerations. In contrast, Rajdhani Express trains typically operate at an average speed of 80–90 kmph.

During high-speed trials, the Vande Bharat Sleeper showcased remarkable stability, with a demonstration where glasses filled with water remained steady without spilling even at speeds exceeding 180 kmph.

Advanced Safety and Energy-Efficient Technology

Safety remains a cornerstone of the Vande Bharat platform. The sleeper variant is equipped with the indigenous Kavach automatic train protection system, designed to prevent collisions and enhance operational safety. Additional safety features include an emergency talk-back system, allowing passengers to communicate directly with the locomotive pilot when needed.

The train also uses regenerative braking technology, similar to existing Vande Bharat chair car trains, improving energy efficiency and reducing overall power consumption.

Passenger Comfort and Premium Amenities

Drawing inspiration from European rail interiors, the Vande Bharat Sleeper offers ergonomically designed berths with improved cushioning and redesigned access to upper berths for easier movement. Noise reduction, superior suspension, and enhanced ride comfort have been prioritised.

Key onboard amenities include:

• Soft night lighting for comfortable sleep

• Personal reading lights and charging points

• Foldable snack tables

• Integrated audio-visual passenger information systems

• CCTV surveillance for security

• Modular pantry units

The train features aircraft-style bio-vacuum toilets, including disabled-friendly facilities, baby care areas, and hot water shower units in the First AC coach.

Sealed gangways and automatic inter-coach doors help maintain cabin temperature and air quality. Automatic exterior passenger doors will open only at designated stations.

Route, Stops, and Operational Details

The first Vande Bharat Sleeper Express will halt at 10 stations, covering seven districts in West Bengal—Howrah, Hooghly, Purba Bardhaman, Murshidabad, Malda, Jalpaiguri and Cooch Behar—and two districts in Assam: Kamrup Metropolitan and Bongaigaon.

The journey will commence late in the evening and conclude the following morning, reinforcing its role as a true overnight service.

Fare Comparison With Existing Trains

The fares are marginally higher than those of existing premium services. For comparison:

Rajdhani Express per-km fares:

• 3AC: ₹2.14

• 2AC: ₹2.91

• 1AC: ₹3.60

Although Rajdhani Express does not operate between Howrah and Guwahati, the Saraighat Express, the highest-fare train on this route, charges:

• 3AC: ₹1,410

• 2AC: ₹1,985

• 1AC: ₹3,320

Despite the higher fares, Indian Railways expects the Vande Bharat Sleeper to establish a new benchmark in speed, comfort, safety, and reliability, much like the Rajdhani Express did after its historic launch from Howrah in 1969.

A New Chapter in Premium Rail Travel

With its combination of semi-high-speed capability, modern amenities, strict reservation policy, and enhanced safety systems, the Vande Bharat Sleeper Express represents a significant evolution in India’s overnight rail travel. As Indian Railways prepares to expand this model to other long-distance corridors, the Howrah–Guwahati service will serve as a crucial test case for the future of premium sleeper trains in the country.

With inputs from agencies

Image Source: Multiple agencies

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