Union Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw today said the Vande Bharat sleeper train will be formally inducted into the Indian Railway network in the next 15 to 20 days. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to flag off the first Vande Bharat sleeper train on the Guwahati (Assam) to Kolkata (West Bengal) route, likely around January 17-18.
First Vande Bharat sleeper train to be launched in January, 2026 (File Photo: ANI)
In a New Year gift from the Indian Railways, the government on Thursday (January 1) announced that the first Vande Bharat sleeper train will be launched this month.
Union Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw today said the Vande Bharat sleeper train will be formally inducted into the Indian Railway network in the next 15 to 20 days. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to flag off the first Vande Bharat sleeper train on the Guwahati (Assam) to Kolkata (West Bengal) route, likely around January 17-18.
Advertisement
The first Vande Bharat sleeper will connect the poll-bound states of Assam and West Bengal, both of which are likely to go to polls in March-April.
Advertisement
Vaishnaw said the Railways has completed the testing and certification of the Vande Bharat sleeper train.
“This achievement is a major milestone. The Vande Bharat sleeper train will provide passengers with world-class facilities, safety, and a modern travel experience on long-distance overnight journeys,” the minister said at an event.
Vande Bharat Sleeper Train completes CRS high-speed trial at 180 kmph on Kota-Nagda section
The Railway Minister also spoke about the likely fares of the Vande Bharat sleeper and presented a comparison between the cost of the premium train travel and airfares on the Guwahati-Kolkata route.
#WATCH | Delhi: Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw says, “Typically, airfares on the Guwahati-Howrah route range from Rs 6,000 to Rs 8,000, and sometimes even reach Rs 10,000. The Vande Bharat Sleeper train’s 3AC fare from Guwahati to Howrah will be approximately Rs 2,300… https://t.co/3wYg0GmIH9 pic.x.com/RUB3lX805z
— ANI (@ANI) January 1, 2026
The minister said the fare for the Vande Bharat sleeper train from Guwahati to Howrah (Kolkata) is likely to be around Rs 2,300 for 3AC, including food. The 2AC fare will be around Rs 3,000, and the First AC fare will be approximately Rs 3,600.
Vaishnaw further said airfares on the route normally range from Rs 6,000 to Rs 8,000, and sometimes touch Rs 10,000 amid high demand.
The first Vande Bharat sleeper train will run from Guwahati to Kolkata. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will flag off the train on this route in the coming days. The inauguration is expected to take place within the next 15-20 days, around January 17-18.
The fare for the Vande… pic.x.com/ZBsqyY2rl9
— ANI (@ANI) January 1, 2026
The minister also highlighted the technical features of the Vande Bharat sleeper train, stating special attention has been given to suspension to provide a premium, smooth travel.
“I think this is a unique thing because so much attention has been paid to the design of its suspension. A completely new level has been achieved in the suspension design of this train. Trains are built all over the world. Train bogies are needed everywhere in the world. So, the export should be from India. It can be from India, provided we are the best in quality and competitive in price. That’s why we focused so much on this, and that’s why it took so much time,” the minister said, as per news agency ANI.
#WATCH | Delhi: On Vande Bharat sleeper train, Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw says, “…I think this is a unique thing because so much attention has been paid to the design of its suspension. A completely new level has been achieved in the suspension design of this… https://t.co/3wYg0GmIH9 pic.x.com/uIXLMvBXLc
— ANI (@ANI) January 1, 2026
The announcements came just days after the Railways Minister announced that the Vande Bharat sleeper train touched a speed of 180 kmph between Kota (Rajasthan)-Nagda (Madhya Pradesh) section.
Advertisement
