GUWAHATI, Jan 15: Assam is set to witness a major leap in railway connectivity with the introduction of two new Amrit Bharat trains and the country’s first Vande Bharat Sleeper Express, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced on Thursday.
In a post on X, Sarma said the Vande Bharat Sleeper train will begin operations this weekend between Guwahati and Kolkata, while two new Amrit Bharat trains connecting Assam with Lucknow and Rohtak will also be flagged off. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to inaugurate these services on January 17 during his visit to the state.
The Chief Minister said the launch of the Vande Bharat Sleeper Express marks a milestone in long-distance overnight rail travel and will significantly strengthen connectivity between the Northeast and eastern India. He added that the new Amrit Bharat trains linking Dibrugarh to Lucknow and Guwahati to Rohtak via Delhi will further integrate Assam with key regions across the country.
During his visit, Prime Minister Modi will also witness the traditional Bodo dance Bagurumba, highlighting Assam’s cultural heritage on a national stage. On January 18, the Prime Minister will travel to Kaziranga to lay the foundation stone of the long-awaited elevated corridor project.
Sarma said the Prime Minister’s visit underscores the Centre’s commitment to Assam’s development and environmentally sensitive infrastructure. The Kaziranga elevated corridor, a flagship initiative of the state government, aims to address the long-standing challenge of balancing wildlife conservation with improved connectivity. Following recent Union Cabinet approval, the project is expected to move swiftly into implementation.
Meanwhile, Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) Chief Public Relations Officer Kapinjal Kishore Sharma said the Vande Bharat Sleeper Express will run with a 16-coach rake and have a total passenger capacity of 823. The train will comprise 11 AC three-tier coaches, four AC two-tier coaches and one First Class AC coach.
He added that the train has been designed with a strong passenger-centric approach, featuring ergonomically designed cushioned berths, advanced suspension systems for enhanced ride comfort, noise-reduction technology, automatic doors with vestibules and a modern passenger information system.
