The Indian Railways has officially set the ticket prices for its much-anticipated first Vande Bharat Sleeper train, scheduled to begin service this week on the crucial Howrah to Guwahati (Kamakhya) route. This marks a significant upgrade in overnight rail travel for passengers in Eastern India.
Detailed Fare Structure for the New Sleeper Service
For the complete 958-kilometer journey from Howrah to Guwahati, passengers will pay Rs. 2,299 for a Third AC (3AC) berth. The fare for a Second AC (2AC) coach is finalized at Rs. 2,970, while First AC (1AC) travel will cost Rs. 3,640. A 5% Goods and Services Tax (GST) will be applicable on top of these base fares.
The railway authorities have also announced segmented fares for key intermediate stops. From Howrah to New Jalpaiguri (NJP), the fare will be Rs. 1,334 (3AC), Rs. 1,724 (2AC), and Rs. 2,113 (1AC). For the stretch from Howrah to Malda Town, commuters will pay Rs. 960 (3AC), Rs. 1,240 (2AC), and Rs. 1,520 (1AC).
Fares for journeys originating from Kamakhya (Guwahati) have also been disclosed. Traveling from Kamakhya to Malda Town will cost Rs. 1,522 (3AC), Rs. 1,965 (2AC), and Rs. 2,409 (1AC). The fare from Kamakhya to New Jalpaiguri is set at Rs. 962 (3AC), Rs. 1,243 (2AC), and Rs. 1,524 (1AC).
A Premium Service with New Booking Rules
This new Vande Bharat Sleeper service will operate under a distinct set of rules compared to regular trains. It will issue only confirmed tickets and will have no provision for Reservation Against Cancellation (RAC). This policy aims to ensure a streamlined travel experience without last-minute seat adjustments.
The fare structure is based on a kilometer-rate model notified by the Railway Board earlier in January. As per the circular, the rate is Rs. 2.4 per km for 3AC, Rs. 3.1 per km for 2AC, and Rs. 3.8 per km for 1AC. The circular also mandated that the minimum fare charged would be equivalent to the rate for a 400-kilometer journey.
Comparing Fares and Reducing Travel Time
The new fares represent a premium over the existing fastest services on this route. For instance, the highest current fare on the Howrah-Guwahati route is found on the Saraighat Express, which charges Rs. 1,410 for 3AC, Rs. 1,985 for 2AC, and Rs. 3,320 for 1AC.
In return for the higher fare, passengers will gain significant time savings. The inaugural Vande Bharat Sleeper train is expected to reduce travel time by approximately three hours compared to the current express train services linking the two major eastern cities. The train is slated to be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The service will connect important cities across West Bengal and Assam. Its route will include 10 stops across seven districts of West Bengal – Howrah, Hooghly, Purba Bardhaman, Murshidabad, Malda, Jalpaiguri, and Cooch Behar. In Assam, it will serve the Kamrup metropolitan area (Guwahati) and Bongaigaon.
