NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be on a two-day visit to election-bound West Bengal and Assam from today and will flag off the first Vande Bharat Sleeper Train between Howrah and Guwahati (Kamakhya).
He will also dedicate and lay the foundation stone for various rail and road projects worth over ₹3,250 crore in Malda on January 17.
The fully air-conditioned Vande Bharat Sleeper train will offer a modern, comfortable and affordable long-distance travel experience.
The 16-coach train will cater to over 800 passengers and, according to the minister, will offer comfort better than the best trains in the world. The train features a new-level suspension design.
The cost of travelling on the sleeper train is substantially lower than airlines. While the Guwahati-Kolkata air fare ranges from Rs 6,000 to 8,000, train fares will be: third AC Rs 2,300, second AC Rs 3,000 and first AC Rs 3,600.
The train features include — 16 coaches accommodating 823 passengers; design speed up to 180 kmph; berth and ladder will see a totally new design; automatic doors; ride comfort, air disinfectant technology in chair car etc.
The PM will also inaugurate, lay the foundation stone and flag off various development projects worth more than ₹830 crore at Singur, Hooghly, and lay the foundation stone of the Extended Port Gate System at Balagarh, boosting inland water transport and regional connectivity. He will flag off seven Amrit Bharat trains, boosting rail connectivity of West Bengal with other states.
In Assam, the PM will participate in “Bagurumba Dwhou 2026”, a historic cultural event celebrating the rich heritage of the Bodo community on Saturday.
More than 10,000 artistes from the Bodo community will perform the Bagurumba dance. The PM will also perform the ground-breaking for the Kaziranga Elevated Corridor Project, worth over ₹6,950 crore in Kaliabor.