Semi high-speed overnight service, consisting of modern AC sleeping coaches, to cut travel time and enhance rail connectivity between Northeast and eastern India. A new sleeper train, christened Vande Bharat, is set to be launched on the Guwahati to Kolkata route in January 2026.

The launch of this train will mark a major shift in the way people travel in sleepers from Assam to West Bengal. The new sleeper train will provide a faster, safe, and more convenient way to travel from one destination to another compared to other long-distance express trains.

The Guwahati-Kolkata Vande Bharat Sleeper train would be the country’s first sleeper-class Vande Bharat train. The train is designed for overnight travel and has a top speed of 180km/hr. It is expected to reduce the travel time significantly compared to the current overnight trains running on the same route. The Indian Railways is introducing this service as a means to fill the gap between the slower routes and the costlier flight options.

This overnight sleeper service will also contribute to strengthening the existing Vande Bharat network in this region. Currently, daytime Vande Bharat trains ply between Guwahati and New Jalpaigudi, and between New Jalpaigudi and Howrah. The introduction of its sleeping variant will integrate these sections into a seamless day-and-night corridor, thus making travel between Assam, North Bengal, and Kolkata easier and more comfortable for the passengers.

Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has confirmed that testing-cum-certification of the sleeper train is successfully completed. He stated that the inaugural run of the Guwahati-Howrah Vande Bharat sleeper was likely to be flagged off by PM Modi in January 2026. The launch is being viewed as a key milestone in Indian Railways’ bigger effort towards modernization of long-distance travel and enhancement of passenger experience.

Although the exact time table has not been revealed, it has been made clear that the Vande Bharat sleepers are to leave Guwahati in the evenings, with them reaching Howrah in the early hours of the following day. These trains are scheduled with a view to accommodate passengers from different backgrounds, such as businessmen, students, or tourists, who want to spend maximum time in a day. These trains are to operate six days a week, just like any other Vande Bharat train.

Presently, the Guwahati-New Jalpaiguri Vande Bharat Expressruns 409 km in five and a half hours, and the other, the New Jalpaiguri-Howrah Vande Bharat Express, runs 562 km in seven and a half hours. The sleeper service will combine both routes in one overnight journey. This will make traveling much more convenient for the passengers.

The total length of the Guwahati Kolkata Howrah route, which traverses North Bengal, is estimated to be around 1000 to 1110 km. Assuming semi high speed running and short halts, the present estimate is that the Vande Bharat sleeper will take around 16 to 18 hours to reach its destination, depending on the final timings. This will be an improvement over the present available options of overnight trains, which are always slower and provide lesser-modern facilities.

This new service is expected to prove most beneficial for the commuters hailing from the state of Assam as well as North Bengal. Currently, commuters have the option of the slower overnight train or the flight services, which can prove costly. The new Vande Bharat sleeper service is expected to provide a balanced solution.

The train was to consist of 16 coaches, all fully air-conditioned, according to initial official and other media sources. The plan is to have 11 three tier AC sleeper coaches, four two tier AC sleeper coaches, and one first AC coach. The train is expected to have better interiors, improved ride quality, improved safety standards, and improved braking systems.

The introduction of the Guwahati Kolkata Vande Bharat Sleeper Train has been a move by the Indian Railways to further integrate the Northeast with the rest of India. With an increased number of semi-high-speed corridors on the way, the train is expected to be a crucial component in facilitating tourism, business, and study-related travel between the Northeast and the rest of India.

Also read : Anna Hazare To Go On ‘Fast Unto Death’ from January 30th, Over Lokayukta Bill Delay