Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate India’s first Vande Bharat sleeper train on January 17. The new train is expected to greatly improve travel in North Bengal while covering stoppages between Guwahati and Kolkata. PM Modi is expected to flag off the train from Malda Town in West Bengal.
Vande Bharat Sleeper: Route, stations, travel time
The new Vande Bharat Sleeper Express will connect Howrah in South Bengal to key stations in North Bengal and Assam, including Malda Town, New Jalpaiguri, Alipurduar, Raiganj, Balurghat and Kamakhya. This route is expected to greatly reduce travel time and improve accessibility across the region.
According to West Bengal BJP president Samik Bhattacharya, due to North Bengal’s difficult geography, many people have to travel long and expensive distances to get medical treatment. The minister ensured that the new Vande Bharat Sleeper will make it easier for them in getting access to healthcare, and jobs as well.
The EMU train runs at a semi-high-speed, designed to hit speeds up to 180 kmph. The train is intended for a long distance overnight travel, while also reducing approximately three hours compared to present express trains. The train is an Electric Multiple Unit (EMU), meaning it has distributed power (self-propelled) rather than being pulled by a single engine. This allows for rapid acceleration and deceleration, enabling it to reach a testing speed of 180 km/h. For the Howrah–Kamakhya route, it will operate at a service speed of 130 km/h, according to a report by TOI.
Vande Bharat Sleeper: Train capacity and coach details
The new Vande Bharat Sleeper will have 16 coaches and can carry 823 passengers. The train will include 11 AC 3-Tier coaches, 4 AC 2-Tier coaches and 1 First AC coach, offering comfortable options for all types of travellers.
Vande Bharat Sleeper: Fare details
From Howrah:
– 1AC: Rs 3,640 to Kamakhya, Rs 2,113 to New Jalpaiguri, Rs 1,520 to Malda Town
– 2AC: Rs 2,970 to Kamakhya, Rs 1,724 to New Jalpaiguri, Rs 1,240 to Malda Town
– 3AC: Rs 2,299 to Kamakhya, Rs 1,334 to New Jalpaiguri, Rs 960 to Malda Town
Between Kamakhya and Malda Town
– 1AC: Rs 2,409
– 2AC: Rs 1,965
– 3AC: Rs 1,522
Between Kamakhya and New Jalpaiguri:
– 1AC: Rs 1,524
– 2AC: Rs 1,243
– 3AC: Rs 962
The Vande Bharat Sleeper has been built to ensure a smooth and comfortable journey. It includes cushioned berths, advanced suspension for a quieter ride, noise reduction systems, automatic doors, and a modern passenger information display.
Vande Bharat Sleeper: Strong safety features
Ensuring safety is the major highlight of this train. The Vande Bharat Sleeper will come equipped with the Kavach automatic train protection system, emergency communication units for passengers, and a modern driver cab with advanced controls.