Vande Bharat Sleeper set to redefine long-distance rail travel; Guwahati–Kolkata chosen as first route

Indian Railways is gearing up to begin a new chapter of overnight train travel with the Vande Bharat Sleeper, after completing its trial runs, technical testing and safety certification. Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Thursday announced that the first sleeper version of the Vande Bharat will operate on the Guwahati–Kolkata route.

The inaugural service will be flagged off by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the coming days. Addressing a press conference, Vaishnaw said the overwhelming response to Vande Bharat chair car trains across the country paved the way for introducing a sleeper variant designed specifically for long-haul journeys.

“Passengers have been consistently demanding faster and more modern trains for long-distance travel. The Vande Bharat Sleeper has been conceptualised to meet this need, especially for routes exceeding 1,000 kilometres,” the minister said. He added that the new train promises a blend of speed, comfort and advanced technology, making overnight travel smoother and more convenient.

One of the key highlights is affordability. Vaishnaw pointed out that airfares on the Guwahati–Howrah sector often range between ₹6,000 and ₹8,000, sometimes touching ₹10,000. In comparison, the proposed fares for the Vande Bharat Sleeper have been kept within reach of the middle class—around ₹2,300 for 3AC, ₹3,000 for 2AC and approximately ₹3,600 for First AC.

The train recently cleared its final high-speed trial under the supervision of the Commissioner of Railway Safety (CRS). Conducted on the Kota–Nagda section, the indigenously built sleeper train clocked a peak speed of 180 kmph. Railway officials said the performance met all safety and technical benchmarks, marking a major achievement in India’s push towards self-reliant and advanced rail systems.

During the trial, the train underwent rigorous evaluation for ride stability, vibration, oscillation, braking efficiency, emergency systems and overall safety. All parameters were found to be satisfactory, leading the CRS to formally approve the train for operations.

Sharing glimpses of the trial on social media earlier, Vaishnaw highlighted a water-glass stability test, where glasses filled with water remained steady even at top speed—demonstrating the train’s superior suspension and ride quality.

Vande Bharat Sleeper tested today by Commissioner Railway Safety. It ran at 180 kmph between Kota Nagda section. And our own water test demonstrated the technological features of this new generation train. pic.twitter.com/w0tE0Jcp2h

— Ashwini Vaishnaw (@AshwiniVaishnaw) December 30, 2025

The 16-coach Vande Bharat Sleeper rake is tailored for long-distance travel and comes equipped with a host of modern amenities. Passengers can expect comfortable sleeper berths, automatic doors, modern toilets, advanced fire detection systems, CCTV surveillance, digital information displays and energy-efficient features designed for a premium travel experience.

Safety and technology form the backbone of the new train. Key features include the KAVACH train protection system, crashworthy couplers with anti-climbers, fire-barrier doors, aerosol-based fire suppression, regenerative braking, UV-C air-conditioning disinfection, centrally controlled doors, wide sealed gangways, emergency talk-back units and dedicated facilities for Divyangjan passengers.

According to the Railway Minister, around 12 Vande Bharat Sleeper trains are expected to be rolled out and inducted into the rail network by the end of this year, with a faster expansion planned in 2026. With its mix of speed, safety, comfort and affordability, the Vande Bharat Sleeper is poised to transform the way India travels overnight by rail.

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