The first commercial journey of the Vande Bharat Sleeper train between Kamakhya (KYQ) and Howrah (HWH) has witnessed an extraordinary response from passengers, with all tickets for the inaugural day getting booked within a few hours of opening the reservation window. The rapid sell-out highlights the growing enthusiasm for modern, fast and comfortable rail travel in India.
The Vande Bharat Sleeper Train (Train No. 27576) was inaugurated by the Hon’ble Prime Minister on 17 January 2026, marking a significant milestone in India’s premium long-distance rail services. Ticket bookings for this new service opened on 19 January 2026 at 08:00 hours through Passenger Reservation System (PRS) and other authorized platforms. In less than 24 hours, seats across all available classes were completely sold out, underlining the massive public demand.
Maiden Commercial Journey Schedule
The train is scheduled to begin its first commercial run from Kamakhya on 22 January 2026, followed by its departure from Howrah on 23 January 2026. Designed as a semi-high-speed overnight sleeper service, the train offers a blend of speed, safety, and enhanced passenger comfort, making long-distance travel more convenient and efficient.
Boost to Connectivity Between Northeast and Eastern India
The Kamakhya–Howrah Vande Bharat Sleeper is expected to play a transformative role in strengthening connectivity between Northeast India and Eastern India. Equipped with world-class amenities, modern sleeper coaches, improved safety features and reduced travel time, the service is set to redefine overnight rail travel for passengers across the region.
Passenger Trust in Modern Rail Services
The complete booking of tickets within hours of opening reservations reflects the strong trust of passengers in Indian Railways’ modernization drive. The overwhelming response also signals a clear preference for premium, faster and technologically advanced trains, reinforcing the success of the Vande Bharat platform.
A New Chapter in Premium Rail Travel
The enthusiastic public response to the very first commercial run of the Vande Bharat Sleeper stands as a testament to Indian Railways’ vision of offering world-class travel experiences. As demand continues to rise, this service marks a new chapter in premium rail connectivity, particularly for long-distance overnight journeys, while setting new benchmarks in comfort and efficiency.
