By PM Modi to flag off 11 trains, including Vande Bharat Sleeper, linking Assam and Bengal
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to flag off a major expansion of India’s passenger rail network this weekend, inaugurating 11 new trains — including the country’s first Vande Bharat Sleeper Express — connecting Assam and West Bengal with multiple regions across the country. The move underscores the Centre’s push to strengthen long-distance rail connectivity in eastern India while improving affordable travel options ahead of a politically significant year.
The announcement comes as both Assam and West Bengal prepare for Assembly elections expected later this year. While the government has positioned the launch as part of its broader infrastructure agenda, the timing has drawn attention to the strategic importance of rail connectivity in poll-bound states that serve as gateways to the Northeast.
Nine Amrit Bharat trains to link East and Northeast with rest of India
According to a statement from the Railways Ministry, Prime Minister Modi will flag off nine Amrit Bharat Express trains that will connect Assam and West Bengal to key cities across northern, southern and western India. These routes are designed to provide affordable, long-distance travel for non-AC passengers, particularly migrant workers, students and families who rely on sleeper-class services.
The newly announced Amrit Bharat Express routes include:
- Guwahati (Kamakhya) – Rohtak
- Dibrugarh – Lucknow (Gomti Nagar)
- New Jalpaiguri – Nagercoil
- New Jalpaiguri – Tiruchirappalli
- Alipurduar – SMVT Bengaluru
- Alipurduar – Mumbai (Panvel)
- Kolkata (Santragachi) – Tambaram
- Kolkata (Howrah) – Anand Vihar Terminal
- Kolkata (Sealdah) – Banaras
Railway officials say these routes are intended to bridge long-standing connectivity gaps, particularly for passengers travelling between the Northeast, eastern India and industrial or educational hubs in other regions.
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Affordable travel at the core of Amrit Bharat vision
The Railways Ministry described the Amrit Bharat Express as a key pillar of the government’s “Amrit Kaal” vision for inclusive infrastructure development. Unlike premium trains that rely on dynamic pricing, Amrit Bharat services operate with fixed, transparent fares, making them accessible to everyday passengers.
According to the ministry, sleeper-class fares on Amrit Bharat Express trains are priced at approximately ₹500 per 1,000 kilometres, with proportionally lower fares for shorter journeys. The trains are non-AC but feature upgraded interiors, improved seating and enhanced safety systems compared to conventional long-distance trains.
Since their introduction in December 2023, 30 Amrit Bharat Express trains have already become operational across various routes. Railway officials say passenger demand has remained strong, especially on corridors with high volumes of migrant travel.
Vande Bharat Sleeper makes debut in eastern India
In addition to the Amrit Bharat launches, Prime Minister Modi will flag off the country’s first Vande Bharat Sleeper Express on January 17. The overnight, semi-high-speed train will operate between Guwahati and Howrah, marking a significant milestone in India’s premium rail segment.
Unlike existing Vande Bharat Express trains, which are designed primarily for daytime travel, the sleeper variant is built for long-distance overnight journeys. It is expected to feature modern sleeper coaches, advanced safety technology and faster travel times compared to conventional Rajdhani and Duronto services on similar routes.
Railway officials say the Guwahati–Howrah route was chosen to showcase the government’s focus on integrating the Northeast with major metropolitan centres through next-generation rail infrastructure.
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Political and regional significance
The launch carries political weight as well. Assam and West Bengal are both scheduled to go to the polls later this year, and rail connectivity has emerged as a recurring theme in the Centre’s development narrative for eastern India. Improved transport links are seen as critical for economic integration, tourism growth and job mobility in the region.
While the government has avoided framing the announcement in electoral terms, opposition leaders have in the past accused the Centre of accelerating infrastructure inaugurations ahead of elections. Railway officials, however, maintain that the new services are part of long-term planning and respond to persistent demand from passengers.
Focus on connectivity and inclusion
Officials emphasised that the twin focus of the new launches — affordability through Amrit Bharat and modernisation through Vande Bharat Sleeper — reflects a broader attempt to balance inclusion with innovation.
With the Northeast historically facing logistical and connectivity challenges, the expansion of direct rail links to cities like Bengaluru, Mumbai, Chennai and Delhi is expected to reduce travel time, cut costs and improve access to opportunities.
As the Prime Minister prepares to flag off the new trains, the rail push signals a continued effort to position Indian Railways not just as a transport provider, but as a driver of regional integration and economic mobility.
