Vande Bharat sleeper launch soon! Indian Railways is all set to launch its first Vande Bharat sleeper this week, with PM Narendra Modi expected to flag off the new train on January 117 between Howrah and Kamakhya (Guwahati). Ahead of the launch, Indian Railways has announced the fare structure and ticket prices for the Vande Bharat sleeper train.Built specifically for overnight travel and long-distance routes, the Vande Bharat sleeper is a fully air-conditioned trainset developed in-house by Indian Railways. These trains are intended for routes spanning roughly 1,200 to 1,500 kilometres, catering to passengers travelling across states during night hours.
Vande Bharat Sleeper Train Fare & Ticket Prices
- Vande Bharat sleeper will have 11 AC-3 tier coaches, 4 AC-2 tier coaches and one AC First coach. The train can accommodate a total of 823 passengers. The first Vande Bharat Sleeper Express will operate between Howrah and Kamakhya (Guwahati), covering a distance of 958 kilometres.
- The fare from Howrah to Guwahati for the AC-3 tier train ticket will be Rs 2,299/- plus 5% GST.
- The fare from Howrah to New Jalpaiguri will be Rs 1,334/-, while travel from Howrah to Malda Town will cost Rs 960/- for AC-3 tier.
- The fare from Howrah to Guwahati for the AC-2 tier train ticket will be Rs 2,970/- plus 5% GST. For Howrah to New Jalpaiguri, the fare is set at Rs 1,724/-, and for Howrah to Malda Town, Rs 1,240/-.
- The fare from Howrah to Guwahati for the First AC (1AC) train ticket will be Rs 3,640/- plus 5% GST. The fare from Howrah to New Jalpaiguri will be Rs 2,113/-, while from Howrah to Malda Town it will be Rs 1,520/-.
- Between Kamakhya and Malda Town, the fare has been fixed at Rs 1,522 for AC-3 tier, Rs 1,965 for AC-2, and Rs 2,409 for 1AC. For travel between Kamakhya and New Jalpaiguri, the AC-3 fare will be Rs 962, AC-2 will cost Rs 1,243, and 1AC will be priced at Rs 1,524.
For the Vande Bharat Sleeper service, Indian Railways has set a minimum chargeable distance of 400 km for fare calculation.
Vande Bharat Sleeper: Top Features
During test runs on the Kota–Nagda section, the Vande Bharat sleeper achieved its designed top speed of 180 kmph. One of the highlights of the trial was a stability demonstration in which glasses filled with water remained steady without spilling, even at speeds exceeding 180 kmph. Although the train is designed for semi-high-speed operations of up to 160 kmph in regular service, trials have been conducted at 180 kmph. Actual operating speeds will depend on the condition and capability of tracks on different sections of the network.The sleeper version is designed as the long-haul, overnight counterpart to the Vande Bharat chair car services currently operating across India.Drawing inspiration from European rail design, the sleeper coaches feature cushioned berths for improved comfort and redesigned access to upper berths for easier movement. Passenger amenities include soft night lighting, integrated audio-visual passenger information systems, CCTV surveillance and modular pantry units.The trains will be equipped with aircraft-style bio-vacuum toilets, including facilities for persons with disabilities, baby care areas and shower units with hot water in the first-class coach. Safety systems include the indigenous KAVACH anti-collision technology, while regenerative braking will be used to enhance energy efficiency, similar to existing Vande Bharat chair car trains.Additional features include sealed gangways and automatic inter-coach doors to maintain air quality and cabin temperature, along with personal reading lights, charging points, foldable snack tables and interiors finished with GFRP panels. Train doors will open automatically at designated stations. A centralised coach monitoring system and emergency communication facilities will allow passengers to directly contact the locomotive pilot when necessary.
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