Malda, January 17, 2026: Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the nation’s first Vande Bharat sleeper service today at the Malda Town Railway Station, marking a transition for Indian Railways into high-speed overnight travel. The new service, connecting Howrah in West Bengal with Kamakhya in Assam, is designed to reduce travel time between the two hubs by approximately two to six hours while providing a premium, airline-like experience for long-distance passengers.
The Vande Bharat sleeper train is a significant evolution from the existing chair-car models. Built through the “Make in India” initiative by BEML and the Integral Coach Factory, the 16-coach train features 11 AC 3-Tier coaches, four AC 2-Tier coaches, and one First AC coach. The design focuses on enhanced ergonomics, featuring cushioned berths and advanced suspension systems to ensure a smoother, quieter ride during overnight journeys. Safety remains a priority, with the integration of the Kavach automatic train protection system and centralized CCTV monitoring.
The inauguration was part of a larger developmental push for the region. During the event in Malda, the Prime Minister dedicated and laid foundation stones for multiple rail and road infrastructure projects worth more than Rs 3,250 crore. These initiatives include the electrification of regional rail sections and the modernization of maintenance facilities at New Jalpaiguri. This suite of projects is intended to strengthen the Eastern and North-Eastern regions as key economic growth engines for the country.
Heightened security measures were in place for the ceremony following intelligence reports. The Railway Protection Force had previously alerted local police to the possibility of stone-pelting and protests along the inaugural route. Despite these concerns, the flagging-off proceeded as scheduled, with the train set to begin regular commercial operations on January 18. This launch represents a natural progression for the Vande Bharat mission as the government plans to deploy more sleeper rakes across India’s vast railway network in the coming years.
