India’s rail passengers wasted no time in embracing the first-ever Vande Bharat Sleeper train, booking every available ticket mere hours after availability. The Railway Ministry’s Tuesday disclosure celebrates the blockbuster response to PM Narendra Modi’s January 17, 2026, launch.
Train 27576 between Kamakhya (KYQ) and Howrah (HWH) enters regular service January 22 from Guwahati and January 23 from Kolkata. With bookings live from 8 AM on January 19, the frenzy on PRS counters and digital apps cleared inventories swiftly.
“Outstanding feedback for our Vande Bharat Sleeper,” the ministry proclaimed, attributing it to demands for superior overnight options. Expect state-of-the-art cabins, quicker routes, and uncompromising safety on this pivotal link.
This success story boosts prospects for Northeast-Eastern integration, fostering commerce and seamless mobility with global standards.
On the expansion front, Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw greenlit nine Amrit Bharat Express additions, spanning Bengaluru-Alipurduar, Howrah-Anand Vihar, and Gomti Nagar-Dibrugarh, signaling ambitious growth in passenger rail.