Kerala to get Vande Bharat Sleeper trains; Howrah–Guwahati service launches this month

New Delhi: Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has announced that Vande Bharat Sleeper trains will soon be introduced across all states, including Kerala.

Speaking to the media at New Delhi railway station after inspecting the Howrah–Guwahati–Howrah Vande Bharat Sleeper rake, which is scheduled to launch this month, the minister said, “All states, including Kerala, will get Vande Bharat trains. Currently, Vande Bharat Chair car version is operational in the state. We have ramped up the production.”

The Vande Bharat Sleeper trains are designed for overnight journeys of around 1,500 km. “Passengers can board the train in the evening and reach their destination the next morning,” the Minister added.

The trains have been designed keeping passenger comfort and safety in mind. They will be equipped with CCTV cameras, the Kavach safety system, and other modern amenities, he further said.

The inaugural service will run between Guwahati in Assam and Howrah in West Bengal. The train, capable of reaching speeds of up to 180 km/h, will have 16 coaches and can accommodate 833 passengers.