The much-awaited Vande Bharat sleeper train is set to be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi later this month, marking the next step in Indian Railways’ drive to modernize long-distance transport.
The fully air-conditioned sleeper train was designed for night travel and offers a faster and more modern alternative to existing mail and express trains. According to Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, it is equipped with several amenities for passengers and fares are priced keeping the middle class in mind.
Vande Bharat’s first sleeper train will run between Guwahati and Kolkata, the railway minister announced on Thursday, adding that each train has 16 coaches and a capacity to carry 823 passengers.
Inside the Vande Bharat Sleeper train — a watch
The train’s features include, among others, ergonomically designed beds with improved suspension, automatic doors with vestibules for smooth movement between carriages, increased ride comfort thanks to excellent suspension and reduced noise levels, and disinfection technology to maintain high hygiene standards.
To increase the safety and comfort of passengers, the sleeper train is also equipped with an automatic protection system, known as Kavach, along with an emergency callback system.
“The disinfection technology kills 99.9 percent of germs. The same technology is used on the armchair version of Vande Bharat,” Vaishnaw said earlier.
According to several reports, the 16-car train consists of 11 3-AC cars, four 2-AC cars and one 1-AC car. Of the total 823 beds, 611 are in 3-AC, 188 in 2-AC and 24 in 1-AC.
Ticket prices, meals and other details
The Minister of Railways said at a press briefing on Thursday that the train fare will start at ₹2,300 for a one-way trip between Guwahati and Kolkata.
— The price of a 3-AC ticket will be around ₹2,300
— The ticket price for 2 AC will cost ₹3000
— Meanwhile, the price of a 1-AC ticket has increased by approx ₹3,600
Meals will also be provided for passengers on the train. In terms of food facilities, trains originating from Guwahati will serve Assamese cuisine, while those departing from Kolkata will offer Bengali food.
Talking about the route, the service is set to operate between Howrah and Guwahati (Kamakhya), which in turn will directly connect the eastern and northeastern parts of India with a faster and convenient overnight option.
