The Guwahati-Howrah run Vande Bharat Sleeper train was inaugurated virtually, while the corresponding Howrah-Guwahati train was formally flagged off by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi from Malda Town Railway Station.
Operated and maintained by the Northeast Frontier Railway zone, the new Vande Bharat Sleeper has a 16-coach configuration, comprising 11 AC 3-tier coaches, four AC 2-tier coaches and one AC First Class coach. The train has been designed for long-distance overnight travel and offers upgraded onboard systems compared to conventional sleeper services.
The Howrah-Guwahati corridor is one of the busiest rail routes linking Assam with eastern India, used extensively by long-distance travellers. Railway officials have said the sleeper Vande Bharat service is expected to reduce travel time while offering a more consistent travel experience. This is the first instance of the Vande Bharat platform being adapted for overnight sleeper operations, expanding its use beyond daytime intercity routes.