The Indian Railways has finalized ticket prices for its first Vande Bharat sleeper train, scheduled to launch on January 17 between Howrah and Guwahati. A third AC ticket for the full 958-kilometer journey will cost Rs 2,299, railway officials confirmed on January 12.
Fare Structure Across Classes
The new sleeper service offers three classes of travel with varying price points. Passengers traveling the complete Howrah-Kamakhya route will pay Rs 2,970 for second AC and Rs 3,640 for first AC tickets. All fares include a 5 percent GST charge.
For shorter distances, the pricing adjusts accordingly. A third AC ticket from Howrah to New Jalpaiguri costs Rs 1,334, while the same journey in second AC costs Rs 1,724 and first AC costs Rs 2,113. Travelers going from Howrah to Malda Town will pay Rs 960 in third AC, Rs 1,240 in second AC, and Rs 1,520 in first AC.
The route also serves passengers boarding at Kamakhya. From Kamakhya to Malda Town, fares are Rs 1,522 for third AC, Rs 1,965 for second AC, and Rs 2,409 for first AC. The Kamakhya to New Jalpaiguri segment costs Rs 962 in third AC, Rs 1,243 in second AC, and Rs 1,524 in first AC.
The Vande Bharat sleeper fares exceed current rates on the same route. The Saraighat Express, which operates between Howrah and Guwahati, charges Rs 1,410 for third AC, Rs 1,985 for second AC, and Rs 3,320 for first AC. This makes the new premium service 63 percent more expensive in third AC and 50 percent costlier in second AC. First AC on Vande Bharat costs Rs 320 more than the existing service.
New Fare Policy Details
The Railway Board issued a circular on January 9 establishing the rate structure for Vande Bharat sleeper trains. The policy sets a minimum fare equivalent to a 400-kilometer journey, regardless of actual distance traveled.
Railway officials announced that the train will issue only confirmed tickets. The service will not provide Reservation Against Cancellation or RAC tickets, a departure from standard practice on most Indian trains. This policy aims to ensure all passengers have guaranteed berths.
The train will stop at 10 stations across nine districts. In West Bengal, it covers Howrah, Hooghly, Purba Bardhaman, Murshidabad, Malda, Jalpaiguri, and Cooch Behar districts. In Assam, it serves Kamrup metropolitan and Bongaigaon districts.
Expected Benefits
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to inaugurate the service. Railway officials estimate the Vande Bharat sleeper will reduce travel time by three hours compared to existing express trains on this route. The faster journey time represents a key advantage for business and leisure travelers.
Vande Bharat Fare Table
| Route | Third AC (Rs) | Second AC (Rs) | First AC (Rs) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Howrah to Kamakhya | 2,299 | 2,970 | 3,640 |
| Howrah to New Jalpaiguri | 1,334 | 1,724 | 2,113 |
| Howrah to Malda Town | 960 | 1,240 | 1,520 |
| Kamakhya to Malda Town | 1,522 | 1,965 | 2,409 |
| Kamakhya to New Jalpaiguri | 962 | 1,243 | 1,524 |
Saraighat Express Fare Comparison
| Route | Third AC (Rs) | Second AC (Rs) | First AC (Rs) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Howrah to Kamakhya | 1,410 | 1,985 | 3,320 |
Train Schedule:
- Departure from Jodhpur: 2:50 pm
- Arrival at Jaipur: 7:00 pm (with a 5-minute halt)
- Departure from Jaipur: 7:05 pm
- Arrival at Delhi: 11:55 pm
Station-wise Timings:
- Jodhpur: 2:50 pm
- Merta Road: 4:00 pm โ 4:03 pm
- Degana: 4:30 pm โ 4:32 pm
- Jaipur: 7:00 pm โ 7:05 pm
- Gandhinagar Jaipur: 7:15 pm โ 7:17 pm
- Alwar: 8:57 pm โ 9:00 pm
- Gurgaon: 10:50 pm โ 10:52 pm
- Delhi Cantt: 11:17 pm โ 11:20 pm
- Delhi: 11:55 pm
Train Details:
- The Vande Bharat Special train will halt at seven stations: Merta Road Junction, Degana Junction, Jaipur, Gandhinagar Jaipur, Alwar, Gurgaon, and Delhi Cantonment.
- The train will consist of 16 coaches, including 14 AC Chair Car coaches and 2 Executive AC coaches.
- Ticket prices are expected to be around Rs 1465 for AC Chair Car and Rs 2945 for Executive AC.
Service Features
The premium sleeper service marks an expansion of the Vande Bharat brand, which previously operated only chair car trains for daytime travel. The sleeper version caters to overnight journeys on long-distance routes.
The confirmed-ticket-only policy eliminates the uncertainty of waitlisted travel but may reduce accessibility during peak demand periods. Passengers must secure confirmed reservations before boarding.
The 958-kilometer route connects two major cities in eastern India. Howrah serves as a gateway to Kolkata, while Kamakhya connects to Guwahati, the largest city in India’s northeast region.
The January 17 launch date positions the service ahead of the peak travel season. The route serves both commercial travelers and tourists visiting northeastern states.
All fares remain subject to the standard 5 percent GST applicable to air-conditioned rail travel in India. The pricing structure follows distance-based calculations established by the Railway Board circular.
The train will run with a maximum speed of 160 km/h, ensuring a swift and comfortable journey for passengers. With its introduction, the Jodhpur-Delhi Vande Bharat Special is set to enhance rail travel across this important route.
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