The Indian Railways is poised to launch a new era of overnight travel with the imminent introduction of the Vande Bharat Sleeper train on the Guwahati-Kolkata route. Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced on Thursday that the train, having completed all trials and certifications, is ready for service, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi set to flag it off around January 17-18.
Affordable Fares for a Premium Experience
In a move aimed at making modern rail travel accessible, the minister disclosed the highly competitive fare structure for the new service. The fare for a Third AC (3AC) berth from Guwahati to Howrah (Kolkata) has been set at approximately ₹2,300, a price point described as affordable for common passengers. For those preferring more space, the Second AC (2AC) fare will be around ₹3,000. The First AC fare has been proposed at roughly ₹3,600, a rate kept in mind for the middle class.
Vaishnaw highlighted the stark contrast with air travel, noting that airfares on the same route typically range between ₹6,000 and ₹8,000 and can sometimes soar to ₹10,000. This positions the Vande Bharat Sleeper as a cost-effective and comfortable alternative for long-distance journeys exceeding 1,000 kilometres.
A Leap in Rail Technology and Safety
The launch follows the successful completion of the final high-speed trial of the indigenously manufactured train. On the Kota-Nagda section, the train achieved a top speed of 180 kmph, a significant milestone for India's self-reliant rail technology mission. The trial, supervised by the Commissioner of Railway Safety (CRS), involved rigorous checks on stability, braking systems, and safety mechanisms, all of which were declared fully satisfactory.
Designed specifically for overnight journeys, the 16-coach train boasts a host of advanced features aimed at passenger safety and comfort. Key technological and safety integrations include:
- The indigenous KAVACH train protection system.
- Enhanced fire safety with aerosol-based detection and suppression.
- Crashworthy, jerk-free couplers with anti-climber devices.
- Regenerative braking for improved energy efficiency.
- CCTV surveillance in all coaches and centrally controlled automatic doors.
- Special lavatories for Divyangjan passengers in driving coaches.
Scaling Up the Vande Bharat Fleet
The minister emphasized the overwhelming public demand for next-generation trains that began with the Vande Bharat chair car models. To meet this demand, the railways has an ambitious rollout plan. Around 12 Vande Bharat sleeper trains are expected to be ready and inducted into service by the end of this year, with a significant scaling up of deployment planned for the following year.
Passengers can look forward to a world-class travel experience with amenities such as comfortable sleeper berths, improved suspension for a smoother ride, modern toilets, digital passenger information displays, and ergonomically designed ladders for upper berths. The introduction of this sleeper variant marks a crucial expansion of the Vande Bharat ecosystem, promising a fast, safe, and modern travel option for India's long-distance rail network.
