Guwahati : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday virtually flagged off India’s first Vande Bharat Express equipped with sleeper coaches, marking a major milestone in Indian Railways’ modernisation drive and significantly boosting long-distance rail connectivity in eastern and northeastern India.

The fully air-conditioned Vande Bharat Sleeper Express will operate between Howrah and Guwahati (Kamakhya) and was flagged off from Malda Town station in north Bengal. Designed as a semi-high-speed long-distance train, it is expected to reduce travel time on the busy Howrah-Guwahati corridor by around 2.5 hours.

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, speaking at a press briefing at Kamakhya station in Guwahati, described the launch as a landmark moment for the region. “This train is equipped with several modern facilities, including CCTV cameras. Tomorrow as well, the Prime Minister will gift two more trains to the people of Assam.

Generally, such trains are launched in metro cities like Delhi or Kolkata, but now Assam has received India’s first Vande Bharat sleeper train. This reflects the Prime Minister’s affection for Assam and the Northeast,” Sarma said.

The Chief Minister noted that the travel time between Kolkata and Guwahati will now be around 14 hours on the Vande Bharat Sleeper Express, offering passengers a faster and more comfortable alternative to existing long-distance trains.

According to a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), the sleeper version of the Vande Bharat has been developed to meet the evolving transportation needs of modern India. The train aims to provide an airline-like travel experience at affordable fares, with enhanced safety, comfort and modern onboard amenities.

The PMO said the reduced travel time and improved comfort are expected to boost tourism as well as religious travel along the Howrah-Guwahati corridor, strengthening people-to-people connectivity between eastern India and the Northeast.

Prime Minister Modi is scheduled to visit Assam for two days, marking his second visit to the state in less than a month. Soon after arriving in Guwahati on the evening of January 17, he will witness a mass performance of the Bodo folk dance ‘Bagurumba’ by 10,000 artistes at the Arjun Bhogeswar Barua Sports Stadium.

On January 18, the Prime Minister will travel to Kaliabor to lay the foundation stone for the Rs 6,957 crore Kaziranga elevated corridor. He is also expected to virtually flag off two Amrit Bharat Express trains-Dibrugarh-Gomti Nagar (Lucknow) and Kamakhya-Rohtak-before addressing a public meeting at Kaliabor and concluding his visit.

Promotional | North East Integration Rally