Modi to flag off India’s first Vande Bharat Sleeper ahead of Bengal polls — no waiting list, premium fares revealed!

New Delhi/IBNS: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will on January 17 inaugurate India’s first Vande Bharat Express sleeper train in West Bengal, just months ahead of the state Assembly elections.

Modi will flag off the inaugural Vande Bharat Sleeper Train on the Guwahati (Assam)–Howrah (West Bengal) route, marking the launch of India’s first semi-high-speed overnight Vande Bharat service.

The train will benefit districts including Kamrup Metropolitan and Bongaigaon in Assam, and Coochbehar, Jalpaiguri, Malda, Murshidabad, Purba Bardhaman, Hooghly and Howrah in West Bengal.

The Vande Bharat Sleeper will have 16 fully air-conditioned coaches—11 AC three-tier, four AC two-tier, and one first-class AC coach—with a total passenger capacity of around 823.

In a major departure from existing long-distance services, there will be no RAC or waiting-list tickets, with only confirmed berths available. 

Tickets can be booked digitally through the IRCTC website. Concessions will apply for women, senior citizens, persons with disabilities and duty pass holders.

Fare structure

Passengers will be charged ₹2.4 per km for 3AC, ₹3.1 per km for 2AC, and ₹3.8 per km for 1AC (excluding GST).

The minimum chargeable distance is fixed at 400 km, with fares starting at ₹960 for 3AC, ₹1,240 for 2AC, and ₹1,520 for 1AC.

For the launch route of Howrah–Guwahati (around 1,000 km), ticket prices will be ₹2,400 (3AC), ₹3,100 (2AC) and ₹3,800 (1AC).

For longer distances:

• Up to 1,600 km: ₹3,840 (3AC), ₹4,960 (2AC), ₹6,080 (1AC)

• Up to 2,000 km: ₹4,800 (3AC), ₹6,200 (2AC), ₹7,600 (1AC)

• Up to 2,800 km: ₹6,720 (3AC), ₹8,680 (2AC), ₹10,640 (1AC)

• Up to 3,000 km: ₹4,800 (3AC), ₹6,200 (2AC), ₹7,600 (1AC)

• Up to 3,500 km (maximum slab): ₹8,400 (3AC), ₹10,850 (2AC), ₹13,300 (1AC)

The Vande Bharat Sleeper is expected to significantly upgrade overnight rail travel by offering higher speeds, modern interiors and premium sleeper comfort on long-distance routes.