Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw today inspected the nation’s first Vande Bharat sleeper train. Talking to the media Mr. Vaishnaw said that the train is designed for overnight and long-haul journeys. The Minister stated that the fully air-conditioned sleeper service will be flagged off in the second half of this month between Guwahati and Kolkata, marking a major upgrade in long-distance rail journeys under Indian Railways.

He added that the Vande Bharat sleeper marks the next phase of India’s semi-high-speed rail transformation, promising faster travel, better comfort and modern safety systems. Mr Vaishnaw highlighted that the train is equipped with state-of-the-art passenger amenities, including comfortable sleeper berths, automatic doors and modern toilets.