New Delhi: India’s first sleeper Vande Bharat train is all set to be launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi this week on January 17. The train will run between Kolkata and Guwahati.
Ahead of the launch, West Bengal BJP president Samik Bhattacharya said that the move will significantly boost connectivity in the North Bengal region.
Bhattacharya said that the North Bengal, is set to receive a major boost early this year with the launch of the Vande Bharat sleeper service between Kolkata and Kamakhya from January 17. Bhattacharya, the Rajya Sabha MP, said the PM would also flag off the Amrit Bharat Express from Malda to Kamakhya on the same day and then address a public meeting.
The new rail link, he said, would establish direct connectivity between South Bengal and key North Bengal towns such as Balurghat, Raiganj, Alipurduar and Malda, a long-standing demand of the region’s residents.
Highlighting healthcare concerns, Bhattacharya said North Bengal’s geographical constraints often force patients to undertake long and expensive journeys for treatment.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RLXQQwcPrMYThe new rail connectivity would significantly ease access to healthcare, employment and travel for ordinary and marginalised people, he added.
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Vande Bharat Sleeper Train | Key Features
- The new-generation train will operate with a 16-coach rake having a total passenger capacity of 823. The composition includes 11 AC 3-Tier coaches, 4 AC 2-Tier coaches and 1 First Class AC coach, offering comfortable travel options across different passenger segments.
- Designed with a strong passenger-focused approach, the Vande Bharat Sleeper Express will feature ergonomically designed cushioned berths, advanced suspension systems for superior ride comfort, noise reduction technology, automatic doors with vestibules and a modern Passenger Information System.
- Special provisions for Divyangjan passengers, contemporary toilets and advanced disinfectant technology will further enhance hygiene, accessibility and onboard comfort, the release stated.
- Safety remains a defining hallmark of the Vande Bharat Sleeper Express. The train will be equipped with the Kavach automatic train protection system, emergency passenger talk-back units and a state-of-the-art driver cab with advanced controls.
- Its aerodynamic exterior and refined interiors showcase the latest achievements in indigenous rail engineering and design.
- Key beneficiary districts include Kamrup Metropolitan and Bongaigaon in Assam and Coochbehar, Jalpaiguri, Maldah, Murshidabad, Purba Bardhaman, Hooghly and Howrah in West Bengal. The service will support regional mobility while promoting trade, tourism and socio-economic development.
- The commencement of India’s first Vande Bharat Sleeper Express Train reaffirms Indian Railways’ unwavering commitment to innovation, passenger-centric services and the vision of a modern, future-ready railway network for the nation, the release highlighted.
With inputs from PTI, ANI
