India’s first and much-awaited Vande Bharat Sleeper train is all set to launch on this Saturday (17 January 2026). West Bengal BJP president Samik Bhattacharya mentioned during a press conference on Monday, as per PTI. He said the move will significantly boost connectivity in the North Bengal region. The day will mark a historic milestone in the country’s rail transportation and expand the series beyond short-distance and daytime services. The train is laced with modern amenities and comfort, and will run on higher speeds. It will be flagged off by the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi from Malda in West Bengal. Here are 5 important things travellers must know:1) About Howrah–Kamakhya Vande Bharat Sleeper Express
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The first initiative is the inaugural Howrah–Kamakhya Vande Bharat Sleeper Express which will connect Howrah Junction in West Bengal with Kamakhya Junction (Guwahati) in Assam. This premium train will cover a distance of about 968 km and improve overnight rail travel between eastern India and the Northeast. The journey time between Howrah and Kamakhya is about 14 hours.The train is also set to upgrade regional connectivity, reduce travel time significantly and support the economy along with boosting tourism growth in these regions. The sleeper train also shows a major leap forward for Indian Railways’ long-distance rail strategy. 2) Features
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Unlike other Vande Bharat chair-car trains, which are designed for shorter journeys, the sleeper variant is fully air-conditioned and equipped with modern sleeper coaches tailored for overnight comfort. All coaches are replete with ergonomic sleeping berths. They come with improved suspension systems for a more comfortable ride. The automatic doors and safety systems like Kavach will offer automatic train protection. There are emergency communication systems for the safety of travellers. 3) Make in India initiative
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The Vande Bharat Sleeper Train is an embodiment of India’s Make in India initiative. All the prime components of the train have been developed and assembled in the country. The technologies used are by Bharat Earth Movers Limited (BEML) and the Integral Coach Factory (ICF). The train has semi-high-speed capability with all modern features. As far as speed is concerned, the maximum design speed the train has is up to 180 km/hBut the train will operate at around 130 km/h speed. Indian Railways now plans to produce multiple Vande Bharat Sleeper to extend the service in the coming years. 4) Service of the train
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Train Name: Vande Bharat Sleeper ExpressTrain Numbers: 27575/27576Frequency: Six days a week (excluding one weekly holiday each way) Number of coaches: 16 Total seating capacity: 823Food: Region-specific cateringClasses: AC First ClassAC 2-TierAC 3-Tier 5) Fare 3AC: INR 9602AC: INR 1,2401AC: INR 1,520
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The launch of the Vande Bharat Sleeper Express will be a big day in the history of Indian transport. With the inaugural run set for 17 January 2026, the service is set to become a flagship overnight rail experience for travellers across India.
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