India's railway network has achieved a significant milestone with the launch of its first Vande Bharat Sleeper train, connecting Howrah in West Bengal to Kamakhya (Guwahati) in Assam. Prime Minister Narendra Modi officially flagged off this new premium service on January 17, 2026, from Malda Town railway station in West Bengal. The Kamakhya-Howrah Vande Bharat Sleeper Express (Train No. 27576) began its commercial operations on January 22, 2026, with the return journey, Howrah-Kamakhya Vande Bharat Sleeper Express (Train No. 27575), commencing on January 23, 2026. This fully air-conditioned sleeper train is designed to revolutionize overnight rail travel, offering an airline-like experience with enhanced comfort and safety. The train consists of 16 modern coaches, including 11 AC 3-tier, four AC 2-tier, and one AC 1st class coach, accommodating a total of 823 passengers. It is set to complete the journey between Howrah and Kamakhya in approximately 14 hours, making it the fastest train on this route and cutting existing travel times by up to three hours. The Vande Bharat Sleeper will operate six days a week; Train No. 27575 from Howrah will run daily except Thursdays, while Train No. 27576 from Kamakhya will operate daily except Wednesdays. The route includes 13 intermediate stops, such as Malda Town, New Jalpaiguri, and New Cooch Behar, improving connectivity across West Bengal and Assam. This launch is a crucial step in modernizing India's long-distance passenger services and is expected to boost tourism, trade, and overall regional connectivity.