The service is expected to reduce travel time on the Howrah-Guwahati route by approximately 2.5 hours.

PM Modi Unveils India’s First Vande Bharat Sleeper & Projects Worth INR 3,250 Crore

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday marked a historic milestone in Indian rail history by flagging off the country’s first-ever Vande Bharat Sleeper train from Malda Town station. The train will operate on the Howrah–Guwahati (Kamakhya) route, significantly transforming overnight travel between West Bengal and the Northeast.

According to an official statement, the fully air-conditioned sleeper train is designed to provide an "airline-like travel experience at economical fares". The service is expected to reduce travel time on the Howrah-Guwahati route by approximately 2.5 hours, which will make long-distance commutes faster and more convenient for passengers. 

PM Modi highlighted during his address that this modern train would provide a major boost to religious travel and tourism while strengthening interstate economic linkages.

During his visit to Malda, PM Modi also laid the foundation stones for multiple rail and road infrastructure projects worth over INR 3,250 crore. 

These initiatives are designed to strengthen regional connectivity and accelerate economic development across West Bengal and the Northeast as part of the government’s decisive infrastructure push.

Source: The Tribune