New Era of Rail Travel: India's First Vande Bharat Sleeper Train Set for Launch on Kamakhya-Howrah Route
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New Delhi, January 1, 2026 – Indian Railways is moving forward rapidly with its plans to launch the country's first Vande Bharat Sleeper train, with details of the operational schedule for the inaugural Kamakhya (Guwahati) to Howrah (Kolkata) corridor revealed in an internal memo.
The Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) submitted the tentative timings to the Railway Board on December 15, 2025, confirming plans for the premium train to run as a fast, dedicated overnight service. The new self-propelled train set aims to cover the 966-kilometre distance between Eastern and Northeastern India in just 14 hours and 30 minutes, maintaining an impressive average speed of 66.62 Kmph.
Overnight Schedule Details Emerge
The proposed schedule shows the train will depart Kamakhya (KYQ) at 7:00 PM (19:00) and is scheduled to arrive at the Howrah (HWH) terminal at 9:30 AM (09:30) the next morning. On the return leg, the service will depart Howrah (HWH) at 6:00 PM (18:00) and reach Kamakhya (KYQ) at 8:30 AM (08:30). A critical intermediate stop in the West Bengal region is Malda Town (MLDT), where the train will halt for ten minutes from 4:50 AM to 5:00 AM on the Down journey, and from 10:30 PM to 10:40 PM on the Up journey.
The service is currently planned to operate six days a week, with primary maintenance designated for Kamakhya and secondary maintenance at Howrah.
Broad Connectivity Benefits
The internal document also details the proposed list of stoppages within the NFR zone, which include Rangiya (RNY), Barpeta Road (BPRD), New Bongaigaon (NBQ), Kokrajhar (KOJ), New Cooch Behar (NCB), New Jalpaiguri (NJP), and KishanGanj (KNE). This network of halts is expected to significantly benefit several districts in Assam and West Bengal by providing a faster, smoother travel alternative.
Public information suggests the Vande Bharat Sleeper train will feature 16 fully air-conditioned coaches, offering AC First Class, AC Two-Tier, and AC Three-Tier berths, with an estimated passenger capacity of 823. This indigenous train has successfully completed high-speed trials up to 180 kmph and is equipped with the state-of-the-art KAVACH anti-collision system, underscoring the Railways’ commitment to passenger safety and modern engineering. While official booking fares are pending, initial estimates place the one-way AC 3-tier fare between Guwahati and Kolkata around ₹2,300.
The Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) submitted the tentative timings to the Railway Board on December 15, 2025, confirming plans for the premium train to run as a fast, dedicated overnight service. The new self-propelled train set aims to cover the 966-kilometre distance between Eastern and Northeastern India in just 14 hours and 30 minutes, maintaining an impressive average speed of 66.62 Kmph.
Overnight Schedule Details Emerge
The proposed schedule shows the train will depart Kamakhya (KYQ) at 7:00 PM (19:00) and is scheduled to arrive at the Howrah (HWH) terminal at 9:30 AM (09:30) the next morning. On the return leg, the service will depart Howrah (HWH) at 6:00 PM (18:00) and reach Kamakhya (KYQ) at 8:30 AM (08:30). A critical intermediate stop in the West Bengal region is Malda Town (MLDT), where the train will halt for ten minutes from 4:50 AM to 5:00 AM on the Down journey, and from 10:30 PM to 10:40 PM on the Up journey.
The service is currently planned to operate six days a week, with primary maintenance designated for Kamakhya and secondary maintenance at Howrah.
Broad Connectivity Benefits
The internal document also details the proposed list of stoppages within the NFR zone, which include Rangiya (RNY), Barpeta Road (BPRD), New Bongaigaon (NBQ), Kokrajhar (KOJ), New Cooch Behar (NCB), New Jalpaiguri (NJP), and KishanGanj (KNE). This network of halts is expected to significantly benefit several districts in Assam and West Bengal by providing a faster, smoother travel alternative.
Public information suggests the Vande Bharat Sleeper train will feature 16 fully air-conditioned coaches, offering AC First Class, AC Two-Tier, and AC Three-Tier berths, with an estimated passenger capacity of 823. This indigenous train has successfully completed high-speed trials up to 180 kmph and is equipped with the state-of-the-art KAVACH anti-collision system, underscoring the Railways’ commitment to passenger safety and modern engineering. While official booking fares are pending, initial estimates place the one-way AC 3-tier fare between Guwahati and Kolkata around ₹2,300.
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