Howrah to Kamakhya Vande Bharat Sleeper Express Begins; Weekly Six-Day Service
Weekly Six-Day Service to Start January 22, Offering Modern, Comfortable Overnight Travel Across Eastern and Northeastern India
Indian Railways is set to enhance connectivity between eastern and northeastern India with the Vande Bharat Sleeper Express between Kolkata (Howrah) and Kamakhya. The train’s inaugural run was flagged off by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on January 17, 2026, from Malda Town, marking a historic milestone in modern overnight rail travel. Regular commercial operations will commence from January 22, running six days a week in each direction, offering faster, more comfortable, and secure overnight travel.
Frequency and Route Details
The train will operate as Train No. 27575 Howrah–Kamakhya and Train No. 27576 Kamakhya–Howrah, skipping Thursday from Howrah and Wednesday from Kamakhya. The Kamakhya–Howrah service departs at 18:15 hrs, reaching Howrah at 08:15 hrs, while the return journey leaves Howrah at 18:20 hrs and arrives at Kamakhya at 08:20 hrs.
Scheduled stoppages include Rangiya, New Bongaigaon, New Alipurduar, New Cooch Behar, Jalpaiguri Road, New Jalpaiguri, Aluabari Road, Malda Town, New Farakka Junction, Azimganj, Katwa, Nabadwip Dham, and Bandel Junction, connecting major towns across Assam, North Bengal, and West Bengal.
Maintenance and Operations
Primary maintenance will be carried out at Kamakhya with Round-Based Primary Coaching (RBPC) support. Turnaround servicing is planned at New Jalpaiguri for Kamakhya–Howrah and Malda Town for Howrah–Kamakhya. Watering facilities are provided at New Cooch Behar, New Jalpaiguri, Malda Town, and Azimganj, ensuring smooth operations. Two Vande Bharat Sleeper rakes have been deployed for this service.
Passenger Comfort and Modern Facilities
The Vande Bharat Sleeper Express offers a fully air-conditioned, modern overnight travel experience with airline-style comfort. Features include ergonomic berths, clean washrooms, modern lighting, charging points, and advanced safety systems, providing passengers with speed, convenience, and reliability. The train also caters to pilgrims, students, and professionals travelling between the Northeast and Eastern India.
Significance and Inaugural Ceremony
The inaugural journey on January 17, 2026, saw PM Narendra Modi flag off the train at Malda Town, highlighting the strategic importance of connecting West Bengal and Assam. This high-profile launch underlines the government’s focus on infrastructure, regional development, and enhanced passenger services.
Future Prospects
With its regular service starting January 22, the Vande Bharat Sleeper Express is expected to transform overnight rail travel on the eastern and northeastern corridor, strengthening economic, cultural, and social ties between regions, while setting a new benchmark for modern, comfortable, and efficient Indian Railways services.
