The semi-high-speed Vande Bharat Express trains have revolutionised train travel in India, offering premium airline-like travel at an economical cost. The sleeper version of these trains has been introduced by the government to meet the growing transportation needs of a modern India.
PM Narendra Modi flags off the Vande Bharat Sleeper train from Malda, in West Bengal, on Saturday, January 17, 2026. (Photo: IANS/PMO)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday (January 17) flagged off India’s first Vande Bharat Sleeper Train from Malda in West Bengal. Running between Howrah and Guwahati (Kamakhya), the country’s first Vande Bharat Sleeper Train connects two poll-bound states of West Bengal and Assam.
The train was flagged off from Malda Town Railway Station. The PM simultaneously virtually flagged off the Guwahati (Kamakhya)–Howrah Vande Bharat Sleeper Train.
Advertisement
The PM, speaking on the launch of India’s first Vande Bharat Sleeper Train, said the service will connect the land of Maa Kali to the land of Maa Kamakhya. He further described the launch of Vande Bharat Sleeper trains as a big step towards the modernisation of Indian Railways.
Advertisement
माननीय प्रधानमंत्री श्री @narendramodi जी ने मालदा टाउन स्टेशन से देश की पहली #VandeBharatSleeper ट्रेन हावड़ा-गुवाहाटी (कामाख्या) एवं गुवाहाटी (कामाख्या)- हावड़ा (वीडियो कॉन्फ्रेंसिंग के माध्यम से) का हरी झंडी दिखाकर शुभारंभ किया। #PurvodayaByRail pic.twitter.com/GgebIADaaU
— Ministry of Railways (@RailMinIndia) January 17, 2026
The semi-high-speed Vande Bharat Express trains have revolutionised train travel in India, offering premium airline-like travel at an economical cost. The sleeper version of these trains has been introduced by the government to meet the growing transportation needs of a modern India.
In Pictures: New Era of Night Travel
The fully air-conditioned Vande Bharat Sleeper Train will enable faster, safer, and more convenient long-distance journeys.
The Vande Bharat Sleeper Train will significantly reduce travel time by around 2.5 hours on the Howrah–Guwahati (Kamakhya) route. It is also expected to give a major boost to religious travel and tourism.
Before flagging off the premium sleeper train, PM Modi interacted with students and loco pilots at Malda Town Railway Station.
PM Modi’s Assam visit: What’s planned over the two-day programme
Meanwhile, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, who attended the virtual flagging-off of Guwahati (Kamakhya)-Howrah Vande Bharat Sleeper Train in Kamakhya, said, “Prime Minister Narendra Modi has today launched the country’s first Vande Bharat Sleeper Train. It is a matter of great joy for Assam that the first Vande Bharat Sleeper Train launched today will run between Kolkata and Guwahati; this is a very big achievement for us. On behalf of the people of Assam, I thank the Prime Minister and the Railway Minister.”
The PM further dedicated to the nation and laid the foundation stone of multiple rail and road infrastructure projects worth Rs 3,250 crore. The projects aim to strengthen connectivity and accelerate development in West Bengal and the northeastern region, the government said earlier.
The Prime Minister virtually flagged off four new Amrit Bharat Express trains, namely New Jalpaiguri-Nagercoil Amrit Bharat Express; New Jalpaiguri-Tiruchirappalli Amrit Bharat Express; Alipurduar–SMVT Bengaluru Amrit Bharat Express; and Alipurduar–Mumbai (Panvel) Amrit Bharat Express.
These Amrit Bharat Express trains will provide affordable and reliable long-distance rail connectivity to the connecting regions and cities. Common citizens, students, migrant workers and traders will especially benefit from these train services.
आज बंगाल को चार और आधुनिक, अमृत भारत एक्सप्रेस ट्रेनें मिली हैं।
न्यू जलपाईगुड़ी- नागरकोइल अमृत भारत एक्सप्रेस…
न्यू जलपाईगुड़ी – तिरुच्चिरापल्ली अमृत भारत एक्सप्रेस…
अलीपुर द्वार – बेंगलुरु अमृत भारत एक्सप्रेस…
अलीपुर द्वार – मुंबई अमृत भारत एक्सप्रेस…
इससे बंगाल और…
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) January 17, 2026
The PM also flagged off two new train services equipped with LHB coaches: Radhikapur–SMVT Bengaluru Express and Balurghat–SMVT Bengaluru Express.
The PM further laid the foundation stone of four major railway projects in West Bengal, including the new rail line between Balurghat and Hili, next-generation freight maintenance facilities at New Jalpaiguri, upgradation of the Siliguri Loco Shed, and modernisation of Vande Bharat train maintenance facilities in Jalpaiguri district.
The electrification of rail lines between New Coochbehar–Bamanhat and New Coochbehar–Boxirhat were also dedicated to the nation on the occasion.
Further, the foundation stone for the rehabilitation and four-laning of the Dhupguri–Falakata section of National Highway-31D was also laid. The government said this important road project will improve regional road connectivity and facilitate smoother movement of passengers and goods in North Bengal.
Advertisement
