PM Modi Flags Off India’s First Vande Bharat Sleeper Train From West Bengal
India’s First Vande Bharat Sleeper Train Launched, PM Modi Flags Off Howrah–Kamakhya Service: India marked a major milestone in railway modernization on Saturday with the launch of the country’s first Vande Bharat Sleeper train, flagged off by Prime Minister Narendra Modi from Malda, West Bengal. The new semi-high-speed sleeper service will operate between Howrah in West Bengal and Kamakhya in Assam, significantly enhancing long-distance rail connectivity in eastern and northeastern India.
The 16-coach, fully air-conditioned Vande Bharat Sleeper train can accommodate 823 passengers and is capable of running at speeds of up to 180 kmph, drastically reducing travel time. Designed to meet the evolving transportation needs of modern India, the train offers an airplane-like travel experience at affordable fares, combining speed, safety, and comfort for overnight journeys.
Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnav arrived in Malda on Friday to review preparations ahead of the launch. The Vande Bharat Sleeper train is among railway and infrastructure projects worth ₹3,250 crore unveiled during the Prime Minister’s visit.
Fare Details
- Third AC (3AC)
- Howrah–Kamakhya: ₹2,299
- Howrah–New Jalpaiguri: ₹1,334
- Howrah–Malda Town: ₹960
- Second AC (2AC)
- Howrah–Kamakhya: ₹2,970
- Howrah–New Jalpaiguri: ₹1,724
- Howrah–Malda Town: ₹1,240
- First AC (1AC)
- Howrah–Kamakhya: ₹3,640
- Howrah–New Jalpaiguri: ₹2,113
- Howrah–Malda Town: ₹1,520
PM Modi on Two-Day Visit to Bengal and Assam
Prime Minister Modi is on a two-day visit to West Bengal and Assam on January 17 and 18, during which he is inaugurating, laying foundation stones, and flagging off several key infrastructure and connectivity projects.
On January 18, the Prime Minister will flag off two Amrit Bharat Express trains—Guwahati (Kamakhya)–Rohtak and Dibrugarh–Lucknow (Gomti Nagar)—to strengthen rail connectivity between the Northeast and northern India.
He will also virtually inaugurate four additional Amrit Bharat Express services:
- New Jalpaiguri–Nagercoil
- New Jalpaiguri–Tiruchirappalli
- Alipurduar–SMVT Bengaluru
- Alipurduar–Mumbai (Panvel)
These trains are aimed at improving mobility for students, migrant workers, businesspersons, and ordinary citizens, while strengthening interstate economic and social ties.
Boost for IT and Employment Connectivity
The Prime Minister will further flag off two new LHB-coach trains—the Radhikapur–SMVT Bengaluru Express and the Balurghat–SMVT Bengaluru Express—providing direct connectivity to major IT and employment hubs such as Bengaluru, benefiting youth, students, and IT professionals from the region.
Additionally, PM Modi will inaugurate and lay the foundation stone for development projects worth around ₹830 crore in Singur, Hooghly district, aimed at building modern infrastructure and reinforcing eastern and northeastern India as key growth engines of the country.
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