The government has completed the trial, testing, and certification of the Vande Bharat Sleeper train, with the first service set to operate on the Guwahati–Kolkata route, Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced on Thursday.
Addressing a press conference, Vaishnaw said Prime Minister Narendra Modi will flag off the first Vande Bharat Sleeper train in the coming days. He noted that there has been sustained nationwide demand for new-generation trains following the introduction of Vande Bharat chair car services.
“The Vande Bharat Sleeper train has been designed keeping long-distance travel of over a thousand kilometres in mind. It will provide a fast, comfortable, and modern travel experience to long-distance passengers,” the minister said, adding that the train is equipped with advanced safety features, an improved suspension system, and world-class sleeper coaches to make overnight journeys more convenient.
According to Vaishnaw, the fare for the Guwahati–Howrah sector has been fixed at approximately ₹2,300 for 3AC. The 2AC fare is expected to be around ₹3,000, while the proposed First AC fare is about ₹3,600. He said the pricing was aimed at offering an affordable alternative to air travel, where fares on the route typically range between ₹6,000 and ₹8,000 and can rise higher during peak demand.
The minister said around 12 Vande Bharat Sleeper trains are expected to be ready and inducted into the rail network by the end of this year, with rapid expansion planned next year.
The announcement follows the successful completion of the final high-speed trial of the indigenously designed and manufactured Vande Bharat Sleeper Train by Indian Railways, conducted under the supervision of the Commissioner of Railway Safety. The trial took place on the Kota–Nagda section, where the train achieved a top speed of 180 kmph.
During the trial, comprehensive technical evaluations were carried out, including assessments of ride stability, oscillation, vibration behaviour, braking performance, emergency braking systems, and other safety parameters. The train’s performance at high speed was found to be fully satisfactory and the trial was declared successful.
Vande Bharat Sleeper tested today by Commissioner Railway Safety. It ran at 180 kmph between Kota Nagda section. And our own water test demonstrated the technological features of this new generation train. pic.twitter.com/w0tE0Jcp2h
— Ashwini Vaishnaw (@AshwiniVaishnaw) December 30, 2025
Vaishnaw had earlier shared a video of the high-speed trial on social media, showing a water-glass stability demonstration in which glasses filled with water remained steady without spillage even at 180 kmph, highlighting the train’s advanced suspension and ride quality.
The 16-coach Vande Bharat Sleeper rake used in the trial has been designed for long-distance passenger travel and is equipped with modern sleeper berths, automatic doors, sealed wider gangways, modern toilets, fire detection and suppression systems, CCTV-based surveillance, digital passenger information systems, and energy-efficient technologies.
Additional safety and technology features include the KAVACH train protection system, crashworthy semi-permanent couplers with anti-climbers, fire barrier doors, regenerative braking, UV-C based air disinfection in air-conditioning units, emergency talk-back systems, a dedicated lavatory for Divyangjan passengers in driving coaches, and a centralised coach monitoring system.
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