Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to flag off a total of 11 new trains on January 17, 2026, a significant move to enhance railway infrastructure and connectivity across India, with a particular focus on Eastern and Northeastern regions. Among these, the highlight is the inauguration of India's first Vande Bharat Sleeper Express, which will operate on the crucial Howrah (West Bengal) - Guwahati (Assam) route. This semi-high-speed overnight service is poised to revolutionize long-distance travel, offering modern amenities, improved comfort, and enhanced safety features like the Kavach anti-collision technology. It will directly benefit districts such as Kamrup Metropolitan and Bongaigaon in Assam, and Coochbehar, Jalpaiguri, Malda, Murshidabad, Purba Bardhaman, Hooghly, and Howrah in West Bengal. In addition to the Vande Bharat Sleeper, the Prime Minister will also launch nine new Amrit Bharat Express trains. These non-air-conditioned sleeper trains are designed to offer affordable long-distance travel, connecting various parts of the country, including Karnataka, Haryana, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Delhi, Odisha, and Bihar, to Assam and West Bengal. The new services, including a weekly Radhikapur–Bengaluru Express, aim to improve regional connectivity and accessibility for passengers. The initiative underscores the government's commitment to modernizing Indian Railways and promoting indigenous technology under the 'Make in India' program, as the Vande Bharat Sleeper train's critical systems are indigenously developed. The launch marks a major milestone in India's railway development, promising faster, safer, and more comfortable travel experiences.