Guwahati: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday flagged off India’s first Vande Bharat sleeper train, marking a new milestone in rail connectivity for the Northeast. Assam Governor Lakshman Prasad Acharya and Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma attended the flag-off ceremony virtually from Kamakhya Railway Station.
The high-speed Vande Bharat sleeper train will run between Kamakhya in Assam and Howrah in West Bengal. It is the first Vande Bharat sleeper service in the country. The 16-coach train includes 11 AC 3-tier coaches, four AC 2-tier coaches and one First AC coach, with a total capacity of 823 passengers.
The train will cover the 972-km distance between Guwahati and Kolkata in about 14 hours. It will depart from Kamakhya at 6:15 pm and reach Howrah at 8:15 am the next day. On the return journey, it will leave Howrah at 6:20 pm and reach Kamakhya at 8:20 am.
Speaking on the occasion, Chief Minister Dr. Sarma said the Northeast, once considered a remote region, has now become a centre of development due to improved connectivity. He credited the NDA government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi for giving priority to the Northeast.
Dr. Sarma thanked the Prime Minister for introducing the Vande Bharat sleeper train, saying it would improve rail connectivity and boost cultural and religious tourism between Assam and West Bengal. He also said the Centre has focused strongly on improving railway infrastructure in Assam and other Northeastern states in recent years.
The Chief Minister added that better transport and logistics are important for the economic development of the region. He also thanked the Prime Minister for planning to flag off two Amrit Bharat Express trains from Kaziranga on Sunday.
Several dignitaries, including state and Union ministers, MPs, MLAs and senior railway officials, were present at the event at Kamakhya Railway Station.
