New Delhi: India on Saturday got its first Vande Mataram sleeper train, which was flagged off by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Designed for long-distance overnight travel, the train can operate at speeds of up to 180 kmph.
The sleeper service will cover the 958-km stretch between Howrah and Guwahati, terminating at Kamakhya, in about 14 hours. The train has a total passenger capacity of 1,128.
According to officials, the train comprises 16 coaches, including 11 AC three-tier coaches, four AC two-tier coaches and one first AC coach. The fare has been fixed at ₹2,300 for AC three-tier, ₹3,000 for AC two-tier and ₹3,600 for first AC.
While flagging off the train, Prime Minister Modi interacted with children inside the coaches. In a statement, the Prime Minister’s Office said the sleeper train has been developed to meet the growing travel needs of a modern India and is equipped with advanced safety features.
Highlighting its affordability, the railways said that airfares on the Howrah–Guwahati route generally range between ₹6,000 and ₹8,000, whereas passengers can now complete the journey on the Vande Mataram sleeper train for as low as ₹2,300.
The introduction of the sleeper version marks a significant expansion of India’s semi-high-speed train network aimed at faster, safer and more comfortable long-distance travel.
