Prime Minister Narendra Modi has officially launched India's first Vande Bharat Sleeper train. The ceremony took place at Malda Town railway station in West Bengal on Saturday, January 17, 2026. This marks a significant milestone for the country's rail infrastructure.
A New Era for Overnight Travel
The newly introduced train features a distinctive orange and grey color scheme. It is designed to revolutionize overnight rail journeys across India. Developed by BEML using ICF technology, this semi-high-speed train aims to enhance long-distance travel comfort and efficiency.
On its inaugural day, the train operated between Malda Town and Kamakhya in Assam. However, its regular route will connect Howrah in West Bengal with Guwahati (Kamakhya) in Assam. This new service is expected to reduce travel time by up to six hours compared to existing options.
Enhanced Passenger Experience
Passengers can look forward to several improvements. The train will offer regional cuisines as part of its catering services. All classes will have these meals included in the fare. The focus is on providing a superior onboard experience for overnight travelers.
Inaugural Run Details
Two special trains ran on the launch day. Train number 02076 operated as the Kamakhya-Howrah Vande Bharat Sleeper Express. Train number 02075 served as the Malda Town-Kamakhya Vande Bharat Sleeper Express for the inaugural run.
Station Stoppages
The Kamakhya-Howrah inaugural special made stops at thirteen stations:
- Rangiya
- New Bongaigaon
- New Alipurduar
- New Coochbehar
- Jalpaiguri Road
- New Jalpaiguri
- Aluabari Road
- Malda Town
- New Farakka
- Azimganj
- Katwa
- Nabadwip Dham
- Bandel
The Malda Town-Kamakhya inaugural special halted at seven stations:
- Aluabari Road
- New Jalpaiguri
- Jalpaiguri Road
- New Coochbehar
- New Alipurduar
- New Bongaigaon
- Rangiya
Timetable for Inaugural Services
According to the Northeast Frontier Railway, train 02076 departed Kamakhya at 12:45 hours on January 17. It arrived at Howrah at 03:25 hours on January 18. Train 02075 left Malda Town at 12:45 hours on January 17 and reached Kamakhya at 22:45 hours the same day. Officials noted that schedules might adjust slightly due to the inauguration ceremony.
Future of Vande Bharat Trains
Indian Railways has ambitious plans for the Vande Bharat fleet. The national transporter aims to operate 800 trainsets by 2030. This number could expand to 4,500 by 2047. The sleeper variant represents a crucial step in this expansion strategy.
The launch strengthens connectivity between West Bengal and Assam. It also showcases India's growing capabilities in modern train manufacturing. Regular services on the Howrah-Guwahati route will commence following the inaugural specials.
