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PM Modi To Flag Off First-Ever Vande Bharat Sleeper Train Tomorrow - Everything You Need To Know
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will flag off India's first-ever Vande Bharat Sleeper train tomorrow (January 17), marking the formal entry of the Vande Bharat platform into long-distance overnight rail travel. The inaugural service will operate between Howrah Junction and Kamakhya Railway Station, strengthening rail connectivity between eastern India and the Northeast.
The inauguration will take place during the Prime Minister's visit to West Bengal, with the ceremonial flag-off scheduled at Malda Town. The introduction of the sleeper variant expands the Vande Bharat portfolio beyond short- and medium-distance chair car services to cover overnight routes traditionally dominated by Rajdhani and Duronto trains.
The Howrah-Guwahati Vande Bharat Sleeper will be operated by the Northeast Frontier Railway and will run six days a week. The fully air-conditioned trainset comprises 16 coaches, including 11 AC 3-tier coaches, four AC 2-tier coaches, and one AC First Class coach. All coaches are equipped with modern amenities aligned with the Vande Bharat platform, including upgraded interiors, enhanced safety systems and improved ride quality.
The first-ever Vande Bharat Sleeper service is designed to reduce travel fatigue on the busy Howrah-Guwahati corridor while offering faster and more comfortable overnight connectivity. The scheduled journey time for the nation's first Vande Bharat Sleeper train is approximately 14 hours, and it is being positioned as a premium overnight option for passengers travelling between West Bengal, Assam and intermediate stations across North Bengal.
The Howrah-Guwahati Vande Bharat Sleeper will halt at 13 stations along the route, covering key rail junctions across West Bengal, Bihar and Assam. These stops include Bandel, Nabadwip Dham, Katwa, Azimganj, New Farakka, Malda Town, Aluabari Road, New Jalpaiguri, Jalpaiguri Road, New Cooch Behar, New Alipurduar, New Bongaigaon and Rangiya.
In the down direction, the sleeper service will depart Howrah in the evening and reach Kamakhya the following morning. In the up direction, the return service will follow a similar overnight schedule, enabling passengers to travel while minimising daytime transit.
The launch of the Vande Bharat Sleeper aligns with Indian Railways' broader plan to modernise long-haul train services by introducing faster rolling stock, improved onboard comfort and stricter reservation norms. The sleeper variant also follows successful high-speed trials conducted earlier, during which the trainset achieved speeds of up to 180 km/h, although operational speeds will remain lower based on track conditions.
The Howrah-Guwahati service is expected to be the first of several Vande Bharat Sleeper routes planned across the country, with additional corridors likely to be announced in phases.
Howrah-Kamakhya Vande Bharat Sleeper: Complete Timetable
Train No. 27575 - Howrah → Kamakhya (All Days Except Thursday)
| Station | Arrival | Departure |
|---|---|---|
| Howrah | - | 18:20 |
| Bandel | 19:09 | 19:11 |
| Nabadwip Dham | 19:47 | 19:49 |
| Katwa | 20:18 | 20:20 |
| Azimganj | 21:10 | 21:15 |
| New Farakka | 22:13 | 22:15 |
| Malda Town | 22:58 | 23:03 |
| Aluabari Road | 01:05 | 01:07 |
| New Jalpaiguri | 03:05 | 03:10 |
| Jalpaiguri Road | 03:34 | 03:36 |
| New Cooch Behar | 04:28 | 04:30 |
| New Alipurduar | 05:13 | 05:15 |
| New Bongaigaon | 06:27 | 06:29 |
| Rangiya | 07:28 | 07:30 |
| Kamakhya | 08:20 | - |
Train No. 27576 - Kamakhya → Howrah (All Days Except Wednesday)
| Station | Arrival | Departure |
|---|---|---|
| Kamakhya | - | 18:15 |
| Rangiya | 19:10 | 19:12 |
| New Bongaigaon | 20:20 | 20:22 |
| New Alipurduar | 21:25 | 21:27 |
| New Cooch Behar | 22:05 | 22:07 |
| Jalpaiguri Road | 22:48 | 22:50 |
| New Jalpaiguri | 23:10 | 23:15 |
| Aluabari Road | 01:02 | 01:04 |
| Malda Town | 03:27 | 03:32 |
| New Farakka | 04:15 | 04:17 |
| Azimganj | 05:08 | 05:13 |
| Katwa | 06:05 | 06:07 |
| Nabadwip Dham | 06:38 | 06:40 |
| Bandel | 07:15 | 07:17 |
| Howrah | 08:15 | - |
Image Source: PTI
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