Indian Railways is on an exciting journey to modernize. They’re launching a sleeper version of their popular Vande Bharat train on the Howrah–Guwahati route. This train connects eastern and northeastern India and is part of a broader push to improve both passenger and freight transport.
The Ministry of Railways announced that the first Vande Bharat Sleeper train is set to take off soon, covering 966 kilometers. Recently, the freight segment also made headlines by recording an astonishing 892 train interchanges in a single day. This shows a big leap in the efficiency of moving goods across the country.
Why the focus on sleeper trains? The new sleeper Vande Bharat is aimed at overnight travelers, a space dominated by older mail and express trains. After successful trials, it’s expected to launch operations in January. The train features 16 coaches and can carry 823 passengers, reaching speeds of up to 180 km/h. This service will reduce the travel time between Howrah and Guwahati to about 14 hours—three hours quicker than the current fastest service.
This route is crucial for many, including students, workers, and families. It’s a vital link for religious travel too. The sleeper train offers features like more comfortable sleeping berths, better suspension, and onboard charging points. Toilets have advanced sanitation systems, and there are areas designed for passengers with disabilities.
Safety is also a priority. The train has the indigenous Kavach system for automatic train protection, along with CCTV in every coach and enhanced fire safety measures. It’s designed to be both safe and comfortable.
In terms of costs, the fares are quite competitive. They start around ₹2,300 for 3 AC and go up to ₹3,600 for first AC, including catering. The menus cater to regional tastes depending on where the train starts.
On the freight side, the record of 892 interchanges is a significant achievement for Indian Railways. Achieved on January 5, the previous record of 865 was set just one day earlier. This increase in interchanges reflects how effectively freight traffic is being handled separately from passenger trains. The Dedicated Freight Corridor has been instrumental in this achievement, allowing quicker and smoother movement of goods.
According to DFCCIL’s officials, this uptick is due to better train scheduling, real-time tracking, and improved coordination among teams. The DFC primarily carries bulk commodities like coal and agricultural products, and by managing freight more efficiently, it alleviates congestion on passenger routes, promoting better punctuality overall.
These developments highlight Indian Railways’ dual strategy: to accommodate more than 20 million passengers daily while also handling freight. By channeling heavy goods to dedicated corridors and enhancing passenger trains, they hope to improve service for everyone. The sleeper Vande Bharat might just set the standard for future overnight routes, while the success on freight corridors could clear the path for more passenger services moving forward.
