Prime Minister Narendra Modi on January 17, 2026, flagged off India's first Vande Bharat sleeper train from Malda Town railway station in West Bengal. This significant launch marks a new chapter in Indian Railways, offering a modern, comfortable, and faster long-distance travel experience. The inaugural Vande Bharat sleeper service runs between Howrah in West Bengal and Guwahati (Kamakhya) in Assam, a crucial corridor for connectivity in Eastern and North-Eastern India. The fully air-conditioned train is designed to provide passengers with amenities akin to an airline, at economical fares. The Vande Bharat sleeper train comprises 16 modern coaches, including AC First Class, AC Two-Tier, and AC Three-Tier, with a total capacity of 823 passengers. It is equipped with state-of-the-art features such as comfortable sleeper berths, automatic doors, the KAVACH safety system, modern toilets, and advanced fire detection systems. This semi-high-speed train is expected to significantly reduce travel time on the Howrah-Guwahati route by approximately 2.5 hours, making journeys faster, safer, and more convenient for various segments of the population, including students, professionals, and religious pilgrims. During his visit, Prime Minister Modi also virtually flagged off the return Guwahati-Howrah Vande Bharat sleeper train. Furthermore, he dedicated to the nation and laid the foundation stone for multiple rail and road infrastructure projects worth over ₹3,250 crore in West Bengal. These projects are aimed at strengthening connectivity, accelerating development, and improving logistics efficiency in West Bengal and the North-Eastern region, fostering economic and social linkages. The launch of the Vande Bharat sleeper train and other developmental projects underscore a significant push towards modernising India's infrastructure and boosting regional connectivity.