Detailed Notes
The Kamakhya–Howrah Vande Bharat Sleeper Express is the first sleeper variant under the Vande Bharat train series. Unlike earlier chair-car versions, this train features fully air-conditioned sleeper coaches, making it ideal for night travel. It is engineered to offer a smoother ride, reduced noise levels, and modern interiors that meet global railway standards.
According to Indian Railways, the ticket price for the Vande Bharat Sleeper Express is expected to start from around Rs 2,300 for a one-way journey between Guwahati and Kolkata, depending on the class of travel. With multiple accommodation options, passengers can choose between First AC, Two-Tier AC, and Three-Tier AC coaches based on comfort and budget preferences.
The train consists of 16 modern coaches, including 11 AC three-tier coaches, 4 AC two-tier coaches, and 1 First AC coach, with a total passenger capacity of approximately 823 travelers. The service benefits several districts across Assam and West Bengal, improving regional connectivity and reducing travel time on one of the busiest rail corridors in eastern India.
Designed with a focus on passenger safety, the Vande Bharat Sleeper Express is equipped with KAVACH safety technology, CCTV surveillance in all coaches, and an advanced fire detection and suppression system. Automatic doors, ergonomic berths with improved cushioning, and enhanced suspension systems further elevate the travel experience.
The timetable is structured for overnight convenience, with departures scheduled in the evening and arrivals planned for early morning. Passengers will also enjoy region-specific onboard meals, featuring Assamese cuisine when departing from Guwahati and Bengali delicacies when originating from Kolkata.
Overall, the first Vande Bharat Sleeper Express represents a significant milestone for Indian Railways, combining speed, modern engineering, cultural touchpoints, and passenger-centric design to redefine long-distance overnight train travel in India.
Howrah - Kamakhya Vande Bharat Schedule
According to the published timetable, the Howrah–Kamakhya Vande Bharat Sleeper (Train 27575) is scheduled to depart Howrah at 18:20 hrs and reach Kamakhya at 08:20 hrs the next day, while the return service (Train 27576) will leave Kamakhya at 18:15 hrs and arrive in Howrah at 08:15 hrs, covering 966 km in roughly 14 hours.
However, despite the significance of this launch, the performance leaves room for improvement. An average speed of about 69 km/h over nearly 1,000 km is only marginally better than many conventional express services. For a train positioned as “next generation,” this is underwhelming, especially when the trainsets have demonstrated speeds of up to 180 km/h in trials and are expected to operate at around 130 km/h on select routes.
At a time when leading rail networks worldwide routinely sustain speeds of 180 km/h or more, and when Indian Railways’ own rolling stock is technically capable of higher performance, this gap becomes more apparent.
The concern is further amplified by premium fares that place the Sleeper Vande Bharat above many existing options, without delivering a proportional gain in journey time. Passengers deserve tangible improvements in infrastructure, track capacity, and operational speeds, not just modern branding for overnight services.
If India truly aims to align with global rail standards, expectations must go beyond trains that look fast on paper but deliver average speeds comparable to existing services.
Key Highlights of Kamakhya–Howrah Vande Bharat Sleeper Express
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First long-distance sleeper version of Vande Bharat trains
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Route: Kamakhya (Guwahati) to Howrah (Kolkata)
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Starting fare expected from Rs 2,300
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Fully air-conditioned sleeper coaches
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Evening departure with early morning arrival
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Advanced safety, comfort, and hygiene systems