New Delhi | January 3, 2026: Getting from one place to another in India is about to get a whole lot easier and faster. The Ministry of Railways is on the verge of introducing the Vande Bharat Sleeper train to the Indian Railways network for the very first time in the country's history. Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said that it will run its first journey between Guwahati (Kamakhya) and Kolkata (Howrah). Prime Minister Narendra Modi will operate the first journey between January 17 and January 20, 2026. The train tested successfully between Kota and Nagda at a speed of 180 km/h, keeping the water in the glass unshaken during the run.
This move to develop infrastructure emerges at a time when the world’s financial institutions are becoming highly bullish about the prospects of the economy in India. The Vande Bharat Sleeper train is receiving accolades as a “Made in India” innovation in engineering, achieved by BEML in Bangalore in only nine months. The train has been constructed using austenitic stainless steel, accommodates crash-worthy buffers and couplers, and has a 16 coach rake. The train has emphasized safety and comfort. The train has the best international amenities, includingsay, modular pantry units, ergonomically designed beds, excellent cushioning, and automated doors. Even first AC class passengers will have exclusive hot water shower facilities. To spread the gospel of passenger health, the train has the most modern UV-C Air Disinfection Systems capable of killing 99.9% germs, not to mention the home-grown KAVACH Collision System.
To compete effectively with the airplane mode, the Indian government has now come up with a fare scheme that will attract middle-class passengers and will not involve dynamic pricing. The fares for the Guwahati to Kolkata journey will be approximately Rs 2,300 for 3-Tier AC, Rs 3,000 for 2-Tier AC, and Rs 3,600 for First AC, which will include local cuisine that will feature Assamese and Bengali cuisine. However, this is not the end but the beginning of a bigger plan to be executed in 2026. Minister Vaishnaw recently announced that the country will see the addition of 12 new sleeper trains to its existing railway lines in December. With increased production from joint ventures including BEML, ICF, and Titagarh Rail Systems, these "Rajdhani-class" trains are to cover busy routes such as Delhi to Mumbai and Bengaluru to Hyderabad, solidifying India's position as a world leader in innovative railway technology and its applications.