India’s first Vande Bharat Sleeper Express on the Kamakhya-Howrah-Kamakhya route has attracted heavy passenger interest. As per PIB, the tickets for the first commercial run were booked within hours after reservations opened, showing strong demand for the new overnight premium service.
The Kamakhya-Howrah Vande Bharat Sleeper (Train No.27576) started its commercial run today (from Kamakhya), and the Howrah-origin service will start from January 23. The sleeper rollout is being considered as part of Indian Railways modernisation push aimed at making long-distance travel faster, more comfortable, and safer.
What you need to know about the catering service
As per a report by the Indian Express, the catering on the Vande Bharat Sleeper will be provided as part of onboard services. Passengers will get one-litre Rail Neer packaged drinking water and a newspaper free of cost, and catering is planned based on the journey duration between the origin-destination station pairs.
Passengers can expect region-specific cuisine on this route-Assamese dishes for trains starting from Guwahati/Kamakhya and Bengali delicacies for services beginning from Kolkata/Howrah. The menu includes rotating options such as tea and biscuits, as well as Bengali/Assamese meal choices and desserts. For the Assamese menu, the food items will include rice, dal, seasonal vegetable, roti/phulka along with dessert. The Bengali menu features dal, rice, mixed vegetable curry, roti/phulka and a sweet dish.
The Indian Express quoted Eastern Railway’s CPRO as mentioning that there is no change in luggage limits for the Vande Bharat sleeper till now, so existing baggage rules apply. The report mentions the free allowance for the three classes, First AC up to 70 kg, Second AC up to 50 kg, and Third AC up to 40 kg are allowed.
Passengers may be permitted to carry an additional 10-15 kg (as applicable) as a marginal allowance by paying 1.5 times the standard luggage charge. The baggage beyond the permissible free and marginal limits may attract penal charges under the railway norms.
What are the rules related to ticket cancellations and luggage?
As per Railway Board rules, cited by the Indian Express, only confirmed ticket passengers will be allowed to board the Vande Bharat Sleeper. Those who have RAC, waitlist, or partially confirmed tickets will not be allowed to board the train.
Cancellations of tickets will depend on timings: 25% of the fare if cancelled more than 72 hours before departure, 50% if cancelled between 72 hours and upto to 8 hours, and no refund will be given if cancelled within 8 hours of scheduled departure.
The design of the Vande Bharat Sleeper and its safety package includes features like ergonomic berths, CCTV surveillance, automatic doors, the indigenous Kavach protection system, and improved fire safety systems.