Indian Railways has started ticket booking for the Howrah-Kamakhya Vande Bharat Sleeper Express. Flagged off by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on January 17 from Malda Town, the train's commercial operations will begin on January 22 and 23. However, littering was reported within hours of its inauguration.
On January 17, 2026, Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagged off the Howrah-Kamakhya Vande Bharat Sleeper Express from Malda Town railway station. This marks India's first Vande Bharat sleeper train, aimed at enhancing long-distance rail connectivity between eastern India and the Northeast, providing faster and more comfortable travel. Train number 27575 (Howrah-Kamakhya) will commence commercial operations from January 23, while train number 27576 (Kamakhya-Howrah) starts on January 22. The 27575 will run daily except Thursdays, and the 27576 except Wednesdays.
The train departs Howrah at 18:20 and arrives at Kamakhya at 08:20 the next day, with a total journey time of about 14 hours. In the return direction, it leaves Kamakhya at 18:15 and reaches Howrah at 08:15. It will halt at 13 stations en route: Bandel, Nabadwip Dham, Katwa, Azimganj, New Farakka, Malda Town, Aluabari Road, New Jalpaiguri, Jalpaiguri Road, New Cooch Behar, New Alipurduar, New Bongaigaon, and Rangiya.
Ticket bookings for the 27575 began on Monday, January 19, with bookings for the 27576 also opening that day. Station-wise fare charts are available, though specific prices are not detailed in the sources. However, within hours of its inauguration on Saturday, the train was found littered with plastic waste and spoons, highlighting a lapse in civic sense. This incident underscores the challenge of adapting to modern amenities in Vande Bharat trains amid lingering habits from older mail expresses.
