Government Pushes Next Leap in Public Transport as PM Flags Off India’s First Vande Bharat Sleeper Train
Reinforcing the government’s sustained focus on upgrading public transportation—especially railways and road infrastructure—Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday flagged off the country’s first Vande Bharat Sleeper train, marking a major milestone in India’s long-distance rail travel.
The state-of-the-art sleeper train was flagged off from Malda Town and will operate on the Howrah–Guwahati (Kamakhya) corridor, significantly improving connectivity between eastern India and the Northeast.
On its inaugural run, the train is operating between Malda Town and Kamakhya, while the Prime Minister also virtually flagged off the Kamakhya–Howrah service.
Railway officials said the introduction of the Vande Bharat Sleeper is part of a broader strategy to modernise India’s public transport systems, offering faster, safer, a nd more comfortable travel options to passengers.
The new orange-and-grey semi-high-speed train is expected to cut travel time by up to six hours, revolutionising overnight journeys that traditionally relied on older sleeper coaches.
Developed by BEML using Integral Coach Factory technology, the Vande Bharat Sleeper combines speed with modern amenities.
Passengers will benefit from enhanced onboard comfort, improved safety features, and curated regional cuisines, reflecting the government’s emphasis on elevating the overall travel experience in public transport.
For its inaugural journey, the Kamakhya–Howrah Vande Bharat Sleeper Express is running as train number 02076, while the Howrah–Kamakhya service is operating as train number 02075.
On Saturday, train number 02076 halted at 13 stations, including Rangiya, New Bongaigaon, New Alipurduar, New Coochbehar, Jalpaiguri Road, New Jalpaiguri, Aluabari Road, Malda Town, New Farakka, Azimganj, Katwa, Nabadwip Dha,m and Bandel.
The Malda Town–Kamakhya inaugural special halted at seven stations en route.
According to the Northeast Frontier Railway, the Kamakhya–Howrah inaugural service departed Kamakhya at 12:45 hrs and is scheduled to arrive at Howrah at 03:25 hrs on Sunday, while the Malda Town–Kamakhya service departed at 12:45 hrs and is expected to reach Kamakhya by 22:45 hrs the same day.
Officials noted that timings may vary slightly due to inauguration-related arrangements.
The launch of the Vande Bharat Sleeper underscores the government’s larger infrastructure vision, which prioritises modern rail corridors, upgraded highways, ys and improved last-mile connectivity.
With faster trains and better roads increasingly linking regions across the country, the focus is clearly on making public transport a preferred, world-class option for millions of Indians.
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