India’s First Vande Bharat Sleeper Train Sells Out in Hours Ahead of Maiden Commercial Run
New Delhi: Tickets for the country’s first-ever Vande Bharat Sleeper Train were snapped up within hours of bookings opening, underscoring massive public enthusiasm for India’s new premium overnight rail service.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagged off the state-of-the-art train from Malda Town on January 17. The sleeper version of the Vande Bharat Express will operate between Howrah in West Bengal and Kamakhya (Guwahati) in Assam.
The train’s first official commercial journey is scheduled for Thursday. According to Indian Railways, the overwhelming response reflects passengers’ confidence in modern amenities, speed, and premium connectivity.
The service will run six days a week and will cover the Howrah–Kamakhya route in just 14 hours in each direction. This marks a major improvement, cutting travel time by more than three hours compared to existing services.
Railway officials said the sold-out bookings signal a new chapter in premium rail travel between Northeast India and West Bengal. With advanced onboard facilities and faster speeds, the Vande Bharat Sleeper is set to make long-distance journeys more comfortable and efficient.
As excitement builds for the inaugural commercial run, both passengers and railway authorities are looking forward to what is being called a game-changer for inter-regional rail connectivity.
