India achieved a major milestone under the Make in India initiative as Prime Minister Naredra Modi flagged off India’s first Vande Bharat Sleeper Train between Howrah and Guwahati (Kamakhya) at Malda Town Railway Station.
The new Vande Bharat Sleeper Train will be operated and maintained by the Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) zone. This sleeper variant of the Vande Bharat train series represents a major milestone for Indian Railways, as it is specifically designed to offer superior comfort and convenience for long-distance travel.
The Vande Bharart Sleeper train features automatic sliding doors, ultra-comfortable berths, onboard Wi-Fi connectivity, and a modern aircraft-inspired interior design. Designed by a dedicated team of engineers from the Integral Coach Factory (ICF), the train features 16 coaches.
The Train will make long-distance journeys faster, safer, and more convenient. By reducing travel time by around 2.5 hours on the Howrah–Guwahati (Kamakhya) route, the Vande Bharat Sleeper train will also give a major boost to religious travel and tourism.
During his visit, Prime Minister Narednra Modi also introduced several Amrit Bharat train services to boost connectivity. He will also inaugurate multiple rail and road infrastructure projects worth over ₹3,250 crore.
Furthemore, Prime Minister will lay the foundation stone of four major railway projects in West Bengal, including the new rail line between Balurghat and Hili, next-generation freight maintenance facilities at New Jalpaiguri, upgradation of the Siliguri Loco Shed, and modernization of Vande Bharat train maintenance facilities in Jalpaiguri district.
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