The government has completed the trial, testing, and certification process for the Vande Bharat Sleeper train, with the Guwahati–Kolkata route selected as the first corridor for its operations, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced on Thursday.
The minister said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will flag off the first Vande Bharat Sleeper service in the near future. Speaking at a press conference, Vaishnaw highlighted the growing demand for new-generation trains across the country.
“For a long time, there has been a demand for new generation trains. Vande Bharat chair car started a new era in Indian Railways. People started liking it a lot. Demands are being received from all corners of the country for running Vande Bharat trains,” he said.
Explaining the purpose of the sleeper variant, the minister said, “The Vande Bharat Sleeper train has been designed keeping long-distance travel of over a thousand kilometers in mind. This train will provide a fast, comfortable, and modern travel experience to long-distance passengers.
The Vande Bharat Sleeper is equipped with advanced safety features, an improved suspension system, and world-class sleeper coaches to make overnight journeys more convenient.”
Vaishnaw also announced the fare structure for the Guwahati–Howrah route. “Typically, airfare on the Guwahati–Howrah route ranges between ₹6,000 and ₹8,000, and sometimes reaches as high as ₹10,000.
In the Vande Bharat Sleeper, the 3AC fare from Guwahati to Howrah has been set at approximately ₹2,300, which is quite affordable for common passengers. Meanwhile, the 2AC fare will be around ₹3,000. Additionally, keeping the middle class in mind, the First AC fare has been proposed at approximately ₹3,600,” he said.
According to the minister, around 12 Vande Bharat Sleeper trains are expected to be ready and inducted into the railway network by the end of this year, after which their expansion will be scaled up rapidly next year.
Indian Railways recently completed the final high-speed trial of the indigenously designed and manufactured Vande Bharat Sleeper Train under the supervision of the Commissioner of Railway Safety (CRS). The trial was conducted on the Kota–Nagda section, where the train achieved a maximum speed of 180 kmph, marking a key milestone in India’s rail modernisation efforts.
During the trial, comprehensive technical assessments were carried out, including evaluations of ride stability, oscillation and vibration behaviour, braking performance, emergency braking systems, safety mechanisms, and other critical parameters. The train’s performance at high speed was found to be fully satisfactory, and the CRS declared the trial successful.
Earlier, Vaishnaw had shared a video of the high-speed trial on social media, showcasing the train running at 180 kmph on the Kota–Nagda section. The video also featured a water-glass stability demonstration, where glasses filled with water remained steady without spillage even at high speed, highlighting the train’s ride quality, suspension system, and technological robustness.
The 16-coach Vande Bharat Sleeper rake used during the trial has been designed for long-distance travel and is equipped with modern passenger amenities. These include comfortable sleeper berths, advanced suspension systems, automatic doors, modern toilets, fire detection and safety monitoring systems, CCTV-based surveillance, digital passenger information systems, and energy-efficient technologies aimed at enhancing passenger comfort and safety.
The Vande Bharat Sleeper trains are fitted with a range of advanced technological and safety features, including KAVACH anti-collision technology; crashworthy and jerk-free semi-permanent couplers with anti-climbers; fire barrier doors at the end of each coach; aerosol-based fire detection and suppression systems in electrical cabinets and lavatories; regenerative braking for improved energy efficiency; air-conditioning units with indigenously developed UV-C lamp-based disinfection systems; centrally controlled automatic plug doors and fully sealed wider gangways; CCTV cameras in all coaches; emergency talk-back units for communication between passengers and the train manager or loco pilot; special lavatories for Divyangjan passengers in driving coaches at both ends; a centralised coach monitoring system; and ergonomically designed ladders for easier access to upper berths.
The successful completion of the CRS high-speed trial clears the way for the introduction of Vande Bharat Sleeper services. Indian Railways said the development reflects its focus on innovation, safety, and the advancement of indigenous rail manufacturing under the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative.