Indian Railways is set to launch the country's first Vande Bharat Sleeper Express on the Howrah to Guwahati route, with ticket bookings scheduled to commence shortly. The premium orange-and-grey train promises to revolutionize overnight travel in Eastern India by slashing the journey time for the 958-kilometer route to approximately 14 hours, a reduction of nearly six hours compared to existing services.
Official Fare Structure for the Premium Sleeper Service
In an exclusive conversation with Indianexpress.com, Dilip Kumar, the Executive Director of Information & Publicity (ED-IP) at the Railway Board, revealed the finalized fare chart for this landmark service. The pricing has been set across three air-conditioned classes: First AC (1AC), Second AC (2AC), and Third AC (3AC).
The base fare from Howrah to Kamakhya (near Guwahati) is fixed at Rs 2,299 for 3AC, Rs 2,970 for 2AC, and Rs 3,640 for 1AC. For passengers traveling to intermediate key destinations, the fares are notably competitive. From Howrah to New Jalpaiguri (NJP), tickets will cost Rs 1,334 (3AC), Rs 1,724 (2AC), and Rs 2,113 (1AC). The journey from Howrah to Malda Town is priced at Rs 960 (3AC), Rs 1,240 (2AC), and Rs 1,520 (1AC).
Fare Details for Journeys Originating from Kamakhya
The railway board has also disclosed fares for travel starting from Kamakhya. For the segment between Kamakhya and New Jalpaiguri, passengers will pay Rs 962 (3AC), Rs 1,243 (2AC), and Rs 1,524 (1AC). The Kamakhya to Malda Town route will cost Rs 1,522 (3AC), Rs 1,965 (2AC), and Rs 2,409 (1AC). It is important to note that these fares are for the Kamakhya-Howrah leg as well.
A critical policy for fare calculation on this new train is the minimum chargeable distance of 400 kilometers. Additionally, all the mentioned fares are inclusive of catering charges. However, passengers must remember that a 5% Goods and Services Tax (GST) will be applicable on top of the published ticket prices.
Anticipation and Impact on Regional Connectivity
The announcement has generated significant excitement among travelers, especially those frequently commuting between West Bengal and Assam. The train's major stops—Malda Town, New Jalpaiguri, and Kamakhya—serve as vital hubs for tourism, business, and connectivity in the Northeast region.
By cutting travel time by almost six hours, the Vande Bharat Sleeper Express is poised to offer a faster, more comfortable, and modern alternative to existing overnight trains. This launch marks a significant step in Indian Railways' efforts to upgrade its long-distance sleeper services with indigenously manufactured, state-of-the-art rolling stock.
Prospective travelers are advised to monitor official Indian Railways channels like the IRCTC website and app for the exact date when ticket reservations for this much-awaited service will open.
