India’s first Vande Bharat Sleeper train will begin its commercial operations from Thursday, January 22. Operated and maintained by the Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) zone, the semi-high-speed service will run as train number 27576 Kamakhya–Howrah Vande Bharat Sleeper Express from January 22, while its return service, train number 27575 Howrah–Kamakhya Vande Bharat Sleeper Express, will commence commercial operations from January 23. The total journey time for the route will be approximately 14 hours. Here is what you need to know.
During its journey between Howrah and Kamakhya, the Vande Bharat Sleeper Express will halt at 13 stations. These are - Bandel, Nabadwip Dham, Katwa, Azimganj, New Farakka, Malda Town, Aluabari Road, New Jalpaiguri, Jalpaiguri Road, New Cooch Behar, New Alipurduar, New Bongaigaon, and Rangiya.
The train will depart Howrah at 18:20 hrs and arrive at Kamakhya at 08:20 hrs the following day. In the return direction, the train will depart Kamakhya at 18:15 hrs and arrive at Howrah at 08:15 hrs the next day.
The Vande Bharat Sleeper Express (27576) will operate on all days of the week except Wednesday. Meanwhile, the Howrah–Kamakhya Vande Bharat Sleeper Express (27575) will run every day except Thursday.
The Howrah–Kamakhya–Howrah Vande Bharat Sleeper Express will have 16 coaches: 11 AC three-tier, four AC two-tier, and one AC first-class. Operations on the Howrah–Guwahati route will use two rakes. Ticket fares from Guwahati (Kamakhya) to Howrah are INR 3,855 for AC first class, INR 3,145 for AC two-tier, and INR 2,435 for AC three-tier. Similar fares are expected for the reverse journey.
When will India’s first Vande Bharat Sleeper train begin operations?
The Vande Bharat Sleeper Express starts service on January 22. Howrah–Kamakhya begins January 23.
What is the route of the Vande Bharat Sleeper Express?
The Vande Bharat Sleeper Express travels from Howrah to Kamakhya, stopping at 13 stations: Bandel, Katwa, Azimganj, New Farakka, Malda Town, Kishanganj, New Jalpaiguri, New Cooch Behar, Alipurduar Jn, New Alipurduar, Kokrajhar, Goalpara Town, and Kamakhya.
What are the departure and arrival timings?
The train Howrah–Kamakhya departs at 18:20 hrs and arrives at 08:20 hrs the next day, while the Kamakhya–Howrah service leaves at 18:15 hrs and reaches Howrah at 08:15 hrs.
What classes of accommodation are available on the train?
The train offers AC first class, AC two-tier, and AC three-tier accommodation, with a total of 16 coaches per rake.
What are the ticket fares for the Vande Bharat Sleeper Express?
Fares are INR 3,855 for AC first class, INR 3,145 for AC two-tier, and INR 2,435 for AC three-tier, the same in both directions.