Kochi: First Vande Bharat Sleeper train between Howrah and Guwahati was flagged off by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Malda Town Railway Station on Saturday, media reports said.
Dedicated to general public, the train will not have quota or passes for VIPs or top railway officials.
Only passengers with confirmed tickets will be permitted to board. The fully air-conditioned Vande Bharat Sleeper train is set to offer passengers luxurious travel experience at economical fares.
The service will reduce the travel time by around 2.5 hours. The train will also give a major boost to religious travel and tourism.
The train is designed to travel at a speed of 180 kmh and will have 16 coaches. There are eleven 3-tier, four 2-tier, and one AC, equipped with Kavach and emergency talk back systems.
The Vande Bharat Sleeper Express will have a total seating and sleeping capacity of 823 passengers, with 611 in 3-tier, 188 in 2-tier and 24 in 1 AC.
As per fares notified by Indian Railways, AC 3-tier tickets start at Rs 960 for journeys up to 400 km. AC 2-tier costs around Rs 1,240, while First Class AC is about Rs 1,520. For trips close to 1,000 km, fares range between Rs 2,400 and Rs 3,800.
The train will also be provided with local cuisine on board. Two trains will be launched and will operate from both sides. The journey will be overnight – serving dinner at night and tea in the morning.
The indigenously designed and manufactured Vande Bharat Sleeper Train, when starting from Guwahati, will serve Assamese cuisine. On its way from Kolkata, Bengali cuisine will be served, the Union minister had said earlier.
The train is equipped with ergonomically designed berths with better cushioning. It features automatic doors with vestibules for easy movement, improved suspension for a smoother ride, and reduced noise levels.
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