The Union Government launched India’s first Vande Bharat Sleeper train on Howrah-Guwahati (Kamakhya) route in West Bengal and Assam from Malda Town railway station on January 17, 2026. The service will reduce the travel time by 2.5 hours between the routes.
Additionally, 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.
Besides, the stoppages of the train include Bandel Junction, Nabadwip Dham, Katwa Junction, Azimganj, New Farakka Junction, Malda Town, Aluabari Road, New Jalpaiguri, Jalpaiguri road, New Cooch Behar, New Alipurduar, New Bongaigaon, and Rangiya stations.