Railway minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Saturday offered a first glimpse of the upcoming Vande Bharat sleeper train, describing it as a new-generation service designed to significantly improve comfort on overnight journeys.

The minister, while reviewing the new train, said that focus was towards upgrading amenities to make long-distance rail travel smoother and more passenger-friendly.

India Reveals First Vande Bharat Sleeper Offering Faster Overnight Travel On Kolkata-Guwahati Line

He highlighted several upgrades in the sleeper version of the Vande Bharat train, including an enhanced suspension system across the coaches and the driver’s cabin.

The train is equipped with new semi-automatic couplers to minimise jerks while travelling, CCTV cameras, redesigned seats, and modern washrooms aimed at reducing water wastage.

A new pantry layout has also been introduced, while berths have been provided for staff on duty.

Minister Vaishnaw said the broader focus of these improvements is to position the railways as a reliable and comfortable mode of transport for middle- and low-income families, especially on long-distance routes.

The showcase comes ahead of the launch of the first Vande Bharat sleeper train, which will be taking place later this month. PM Narendra Modi is expected to flag off the service in the second half of January 2026. The Vande Bharat sleeper is a fully air-conditioned train set developed by Indian Railways specifically for long-distance and overnight journeys.

According to the minister, two Vande Bharat sleeper train sets are already ready and have completed successful trial runs. These trains are designed to operate on routes spanning 1,200 to 1,500 kilometres. The first service will run between Guwahati and Kolkata, with the route covering Howrah and Kamakhya.Each Vande Bharat sleeper train will have 16 coaches, comprising 11 AC three-tier coaches, four AC two-tier coaches and one AC first-class coach.