Indian Railways has launched the Vande Bharat Sleeper Express with the aim of enhancing passenger comfort and improving the overnight travel experience across the nation. The inaugural service of this sleeper train took place on the Howrah-Kamakhya route, featuring a distinctive orange and grey design that has successfully reduced travel times by as much as six hours.
Manufactured by BEML utilizing ICF technology, this semi-high-speed train made its first journey on January 17, 2026. It was officially inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Malda Town railway station in West Bengal. This service operates under train numbers 27575 and 27576 and is managed by the Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) zone.
The Ministry of Railways reported that the Vande Bharat Sleeper Express on the Howrah-Kamakhya route has been operating at full capacity, with occupancy levels exceeding 100 percent.
In the initial three months since its launch, the Vande Bharat Sleeper Express has transported 121,000 passengers across 119 journeys, reflecting significant demand and growing passenger confidence in premium overnight rail services.
This new train service makes stops at 13 stations along its route from Howrah to Kamakhya, including Bandel, Nabadwip Dham, Katwa, Azimganj, New Farakka, Malda Town, Aluabari Road, New Jalpaiguri, Jalpaiguri Road, New Cooch Behar, New Alipurduar, New Bongaigaon, and Rangiya. The train consists of 16 coaches, with 11 AC 3-tier, four AC 2-tier, and one AC first-class coach.
The Howrah-Kamakhya Vande Bharat Sleeper, designated as train number 27575, departs from Howrah at 18:20 and arrives in Kamakhya at 08:20 the next morning. Conversely, train number 27576 leaves Kamakhya at 18:15 and reaches Howrah at 08:15 the following day.
Anish Mondal, a journalist with over nine years of experience in covering transportation sectors, is currently part of the editorial team at Indianexpress.com, specializing in high-impact areas.
Professional Journey: Anish began his career at Rajya Sabha Television (now Sansad TV), where he gained essential insights into legislative processes and national governance. In 2018, he shifted to digital financial journalism at FinancialExpress.com, honing his skills in market analysis and corporate reporting for nearly six years. He joined The Indian Express in 2025 after contributing significantly to ETNowNews.com.
Education & Expertise: Anish’s reporting is supported by a solid academic foundation in communication and the humanities, including:
- Master of Journalism and Mass Communication (MJMC) – Apeejay Stya University
- Post Graduate Diploma in Journalism and Production (PGTVRJP) – Apeejay Institute of Mass Communication
- Bachelor of Arts (English Honours) – University of Calcutta
Areas of Coverage: Anish focuses on connectivity issues, providing in-depth reporting on the expansion of Indian Railways and the National Highway networks.
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