Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw Inspects Vande Bharat Sleeper Train at New Delhi Railway Station

The Union Minister for Railways, Information & Broadcasting, and Electronics & Information Technology, Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw, today visited New Delhi Railway Station to inspect India’s first Vande Bharat Sleeper Train.

Key Highlights
- Inspection Date: January 3, 2026
- Location: New Delhi Railway Station
- Inspected by: Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw, Union Minister for Railways, Information & Broadcasting, and Electronics & IT

Train Features
- First Vande Bharat Sleeper Train in India, designed for long-distance overnight travel.
- Safety & Technology:
- Automatic doors
- KAVACH safety system
- Improved fire safety mechanisms
- Disinfectant technology
- CCTV surveillance in all coaches
- Passenger Comfort:
- Modern interiors and ergonomic design
- Innovative toilet design to improve hygiene and prevent water splashes
- Advanced suspension systems for smoother rides

Route & Operations
- First Route: Guwahati (Assam) ↔ Howrah (West Bengal)
- Flag-off: Scheduled for January 2026 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi
- Coach Formation:
- 16 coaches total
- 11 AC three-tier
- 4 AC two-tier
- 1 AC first-class
- Capacity: ~823 passengers

Culinary Experience
- Region-specific dining:
- From Guwahati: Assamese cuisine
- From Kolkata: Bengali delicacies
- Aim: To provide a culturally rich dining experience onboard

Speed & Innovation
- Semi-high-speed design with a top speed of 180 km/h.
- Reflects Indian Railways’ focus on passenger-centric services and technological innovation.

👉 This marks a transformative step in India’s overnight rail travel, combining speed, safety, and comfort with cultural experiences.