Indian Railways (IR) has announced to launch the first Vande Bharat Sleeper train on Guwahati (Assam)-Howrah (West Bengal) route in January 2026. The trial, testing, and certification of the train have been successfully completed. The train is designed to reach a maximum speed of 180 km per hour (kmph) and will consist of 16 coaches, including 11 three-tier air-conditioned (AC) coaches, four two-tier AC coaches, and one first-class AC coach, having total capacity of around 823 passengers.
Other features of the train include Kavach, driver cab with advanced controls and safety systems, automatic doors with vestibules for smooth movement, improved fire safety aerosol-based fire detection and suppression system in electrical cabinets and lavatories, aerodynamic exterior looks and automatic exterior passenger doors, and closed-circuit television (CCTVs) cameras installed in all coaches among others. Further, IR has newly designed the bogie with new suspension and its interiors and ladders feature an ergonomic design, with special parameters implemented throughout for safety and security purpose.
Besides, the train will serve the districts of Kamrup Metropolitan and Bongaigaon in Assam, and Coochbehar, Jalpaiguri, Maldah, Murshidabad, Purba Bardhaman, Hooghly, and Howrah in West Bengal.