PM Modi to Flag Off India's First Vande Bharat Sleeper Train in Malda
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Malda on Saturday morning for a significant railway event. He will officially launch the country's first Vande Bharat Sleeper train. This new train service will connect Howrah in West Bengal with Kamakhya in Assam, marking a major upgrade in rail connectivity.
Multiple Train Inaugurations and Public Rally
During his visit, PM Modi will also inaugurate several Amrit Bharat Express trains. These trains are designed to link North Bengal and the North East with southern India, enhancing cross-country travel options. After the train inaugurations, the Prime Minister is scheduled to address a large public rally in Malda. He will also interact with school students at Malda Town Station, adding a personal touch to the event.
Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw arrived in Malda on Friday evening to oversee the final preparations. His presence underscores the importance of this railway development initiative.
Details of the Vande Bharat Sleeper Train
The Vande Bharat Sleeper train features 16 modern coaches with a total passenger capacity of 823. It can operate at speeds up to 180 kilometers per hour, which will significantly reduce travel time between key destinations. This makes it a fast and efficient option for long-distance journeys.
Fare Structure for the New Train Service
Dilip Kumar, the Executive Director of Information & Publicity at the Railway Board, provided detailed fare information. For the Howrah to Kamakhya route, fares vary by class. In the Third AC category, the ticket price is set at Rs 2,299. For shorter trips, the fare from Howrah to New Jalpaiguri is Rs 1,334, and from Howrah to Malda Town it is Rs 960.
In the Second AC category, passengers traveling from Howrah to Kamakhya will pay Rs 2,970. Tickets for the same class from Howrah to New Jalpaiguri cost Rs 1,724, and from Howrah to Malda Town they are priced at Rs 1,240.
The First AC category offers premium travel with a fare of Rs 3,640 from Howrah to Kamakhya. For the Howrah to New Jalpaiguri journey, the fare is Rs 2,113, while tickets to Malda Town are available for Rs 1,520.
Local Political Expectations
Ajoy Ganguly, the district BJP President, expressed optimism about the event. He stated that they anticipate a record gathering, with people from Malda and the two Dinajpur districts coming to listen to the Prime Minister. Ganguly mentioned that amid confusion created by the TMC regarding SIR, this event will provide a significant boost to BJP supporters in the region.
The inauguration of these trains represents a key step in modernizing India's railway infrastructure and improving connectivity across states.
