Ashwini Vaishnaw Conducts Final Inspection Of India’s First Vande Bharat Sleeper Train

Union Minister for Railways Ashwini Vaishnaw inspected India’s first Vande Bharat Sleeper Train at New Delhi Railway Station, marking a major milestone towards the launch of the country’s first semi-high-speed overnight Vande Bharat service. During the inspection, the Minister reviewed sleeper coaches, modern interiors, seating and berthing arrangements, along with advanced safety and passenger comfort features. He examined automatic doors, the indigenous KAVACH train protection system, enhanced fire safety mechanisms, CCTV surveillance, disinfectant technology and newly designed toilets aimed at improving hygiene and passenger convenience. Railway officials informed him that all trials, testing and certification processes have been successfully completed, and the train is fully ready for operations. The 16-coach Vande Bharat Sleeper Train, with a capacity of around 823 passengers, will run between Guwahati and Howrah, transforming long-distance overnight rail travel with a design speed of up to 180 kmph. The service will also offer region-specific cuisine, featuring authentic Assamese dishes from Guwahati and traditional Bengali delicacies from Kolkata. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to flag off the inaugural service later this month, reinforcing Indian Railways’ focus on safety, comfort and indigenous technological innovation.