January 17, 2026 04:05 pm (IST)

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Vande Bharat

Modi flagging off first Vande Bharat sleeper train. Photo: Screen-grab/X video

PM Modi flags off first Vande Bharat Sleeper from Bengal — no waiting list, only confirmed berths!

India Blooms News Service | @indiablooms | Jan 17, 2026, at 02:09 pm

#Vande Bharat Sleeper launch # PM Modi Malda # first sleeper Vande Bharat # Howrah Guwahati sleeper # no waiting list train India # IRCTC Vande Bharat booking # Bengal rail projects # Modi Bengal visit

Kolkata/IBNS: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday flagged off the country’s first Vande Bharat Sleeper Train at Malda in West Bengal.

The Prime Minister interacted with students present at the launch event before formally inaugurating the premium service.

#WATCH | Prime Minister @narendramodi flags off India’s first Vande Bharat Sleeper Train (Howrah–Kamakhya) from Malda Town station, West Bengal.@PMOIndia @RailMinIndia @AshwiniVaishnaw #WestBengal #Malda #VandeBharatSleeper #Guwahati #InfrastructureDevelopment pic.twitter.com/gvKrXz2mgY
— DD News (@DDNewslive) January 17, 2026

The new train is expected to benefit passengers from several districts, including Kamrup Metropolitan and Bongaigaon in Assam, and Cooch Behar, Jalpaiguri, Malda, Murshidabad, Purba Bardhaman, Hooghly and Howrah in West Bengal.

The Vande Bharat Sleeper will comprise 16 fully air-conditioned coaches — 11 AC three-tier, four AC two-tier and one first-class AC coach — with a total capacity of around 823 passengers.

In a departure from existing long-distance services, the train will operate without RAC or waiting-list tickets, allowing only confirmed berths.

#WATCH | Before flagging off India’s first Vande Bharat Sleeper Train from Malda Town, PM @narendramodi interacts with students and loco pilots on board.@RailMinIndia @AshwiniVaishnaw #WestBengal #Malda #VandeBharatSleeper #Guwahati #InfrastructureDevelopment pic.twitter.com/KOMszhM9iF
— DD News (@DDNewslive) January 17, 2026

Tickets can be booked digitally through the IRCTC platform, with concessions available for women, senior citizens, persons with disabilities and duty pass holders.

The launch comes months ahead of the West Bengal Assembly elections scheduled for this summer.

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