Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday virtually flagged off India’s first Vande Bharat Express equipped with sleeper coaches, which will run between Howrah and Guwahati (Kamakhya), marking a major milestone in the Indian Railways’ modernisation drive.

The fully air-conditioned sleeper train was flagged off from Malda Town station in north Bengal, an event aimed at enhancing connectivity between eastern India and the Northeast. The train is a semi-high-speed service designed to make long-distance travel faster, safer, and more comfortable, reducing travel time by around 2.5 hours on the Howrah–Guwahati route.

At a press briefing at Kamakhya station in Guwahati, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said the introduction of the sleeper Vande Bharat marked an important moment for the region. He highlighted the modern features of the train and reflected on what the service means for Assam and the Northeast.

“This train is equipped with several modern facilities, including CCTV cameras. Tomorrow as well, the Prime Minister will gift two more trains to the people of Assam. Generally, such trains are launched in metro cities like Delhi or Kolkata, but now Assam has received India’s first Vande Bharat sleeper train. This reflects the Prime Minister’s love for Assam and the Northeast,” Sarma said.

The Chief Minister also noted that the travel time between Kolkata and Guwahati will now be around 14 hours on the Vande Bharat Sleeper Express. This is a significant improvement for passengers travelling on the long corridor between these major cities.

According to a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), the sleeper version of the Vande Bharat has been developed to meet the evolving transportation needs of modern India. The aim is to provide passengers with an airline-like travel experience at economical fares, bringing enhanced comfort and convenience for long-distance journeys.

The reduction in travel time is also expected to boost tourism and religious travel along the Howrah–Guwahati corridor, the PMO statement added. With faster overnight journeys, people travelling for leisure, pilgrimage and business are likely to find the route more accessible and appealing.

Prime Minister Modi’s visit to Assam is scheduled for two days, making this his second visit to the state in less than a month. His itinerary highlights the importance of the region in national infrastructure planning and development.

Soon after arriving in Guwahati on the evening of January 17, the Prime Minister will witness a performance of the Bodo folk dance ‘Bagurumba’ by 10,000 artistes at the Arjun Bhogeswar Barua Sports Stadium. This cultural event showcases the rich heritage of Assam and celebrates the launch of the new train service.

On the following day, Modi will travel to Kaliabor to lay the foundation stone for the Rs 6,957 crore Kaziranga elevated corridor. This project is another key infrastructure initiative intended to improve transportation and connectivity in the region.

During his visit, the Prime Minister is also expected to virtually flag off two Amrit Bharat Express trains, the Dibrugarh–Gomti Nagar (Lucknow) and Kamakhya–Rohtak services. After these inaugurations, he will address a public meeting at Kaliabor to conclude his visit.

The launch of the Vande Bharat Sleeper Express marks a new chapter in Indian Railways’ long-distance travel offerings, combining modern amenities with speed and comfort. It reflects the government’s focus on upgrading rail infrastructure and improving passenger experience across key national corridors.