Malda/New Delhi, 17 January (H.S.): Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagged off India's first Vande Bharat Sleeper Train on Saturday from Malda Town Railway Station, marking a pivotal advancement in the nation's rail infrastructure. The fully air-conditioned, 16-coach premium sleeper service connects Howrah in West Bengal with Guwahati (Kamakhya) in Assam, promising an airline-like experience with economical fares while slashing travel time by approximately 2.5 hours on this vital eastern corridor.

Operated by the Northeast Frontier Railway zone, the train comprises 11 AC 3-tier coaches, four AC 2-tier coaches, and one AC First Class coach, equipped with cutting-edge features including the indigenous Kavach anti-collision system, regenerative braking, sealed gangways for consistent air quality, personal reading lights, charging points, and accessible facilities such as showers in the first-class coach.

During the same event,PM Modi virtually inaugurated four new Amrit Bharat Express trains linking New Jalpaiguri to Nagercoil and Tiruchirappalli, as well as Alipurduar to SMVT Bengaluru and Mumbai (Panvel), alongside two LHB-coach services from Radhikapur and Balurghat to SMVT Bengaluru.

These initiatives, part of broader rail and road projects exceeding ₹3,250 crore dedicated in Malda, encompass electrification of sections like New Coochbehar–Bamanhat, new freight facilities at New Jalpaiguri, upgrades to the Siliguri Loco Shed, and the four-laning of the Dhupguri–Falakata stretch of National Highway 31D. The developments aim to bolster logistics, tourism, pilgrimage, and employment while enhancing Northeast-North India connectivity.

Fares underscore affordability: from Howrah to Kamakhya, they range from ₹2,299 (3AC) to ₹3,640 (1AC), with shorter segments like Howrah to Malda Town starting at ₹960 (3AC). Security was heightened amid intelligence alerts of potential stone-pelting, prompting the Railway Protection Force to seek reinforcements, while women passengers aboard the inaugural train were observed singing in anticipation.

The visit drew political crossfire, with PM Modi asserting West Bengal's populace is fed up with Trinamool Congress (TMC) misrule ahead of 2026 assembly polls, prompting TMC accusations of central force misuse to intimidate marginalized communities. BJP leaders, including Union Minister Sukanta Majumdar, vowed to lure back Tata Motors to Singur if elected.

On Sunday, January 18, PM Modi proceeds to Singur in Hooghly district to unveil projects worth ₹830 crore, including the Extended Port Gate System at Balagarh with an inland water transport terminal, a road overbridge, and an electric catamaran service on the Hooghly River—furthering a multi-modal push for regional prosperity.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar