PM to Flag Off Vande Bharat Sleeper Train Between Guwahati and Kolkata This Month

PTI, NEW DELHI/MALIGAON, JAN 1, 2025: The much-awaited Vande Bharat sleeper train will run between Guwahati and Kolkata later this month, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said on Thursday. Vaishnaw stated that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will flag off the train.

"The services will become operational in the next 15-20 days, possibly around January 18 or 19. We have requested the Prime Minister and everything is clear. I will announce the exact date in the next two to three days," the Union Minister said.

Vaishnaw added that the 16-coach train, with a passenger capacity of 823, has a design speed of 180 kilometres per hour. However, it will operate at a speed of 120-130 km/h between the two cities, covering prominent districts of Assam and West Bengal. It is noteworthy that both West Bengal and Assam are scheduled to go to the polls this year.

Calling the development a major milestone for the country, the Railway Minister said the ticket fares of the Vande Bharat sleeper train will be substantially lower compared to air travel.

"In the Vande Bharat sleeper, the 3rd-AC fare will be around Rs 2,300, 2nd-AC around Rs 3,000, and 1st-AC around Rs 3,600, which will include food as well. The fares have been designed keeping the middle class in mind," Vaishnaw stated. He also mentioned that Guwahati-Kolkata air travel costs around Rs 6,000 to Rs 8,000.

Talking about per-kilometre fares, he said these would be Rs 3.8 per km for 1st AC, Rs 3.1 per km for 2nd AC, and Rs 2.4 for 3rd AC. According to the Railway Minister's briefing, the 16-coach train comprises 11 3-AC coaches, four 2-AC coaches, and one 1-AC coach. Of the total 823 berths, 611 are in 3rd AC, 188 in 2nd AC, and 24 in 1st AC.

Other features include ergonomically-designed berths with improved cushioning, automatic doors with vestibules for smooth movement, enhanced ride comfort through superior suspension and noise reduction, an automatic train protection system (Kavach), an emergency talk-back system, and disinfectant technology to maintain high sanitation standards, among others.

"The disinfectant technology will kill 99.9 per cent of germs. The same technology is being used on the Vande Bharat chair-car version," Vaishnaw said.

According to the Minister, production is being ramped up and eight more trains will be ready for operation in six months. "By this year, 12 trains will be ready. From next year onwards, production will ramp up rapidly as the entire supply chain will be in place by then," he added.

On catering facilities, Vaishnaw said trains originating from Guwahati will serve Assamese cuisine, while those starting from Kolkata will offer Bengali food. According to a press release issued by the North-East Frontier Railway, the introduction of this service will significantly enhance connectivity between Assam and West Bengal. Key beneficiary districts include Kamrup Metropolitan and Bongaigaon in Assam, and Coochbehar, Jalpaiguri, Maldah, Murshidabad, Purba Bardhaman, Hooghly, and Howrah in West Bengal, supporting regional mobility, trade, tourism, and socio-economic development.