First Vande Bharat sleeper service and six Amrit Bharat Express trains to enhance long-distance connectivity from the region
Baby Chakraborty, KalimNews, January 10, 2026, Kolkata : With the 2026 Assembly elections drawing closer, political activity across the country has intensified, and development initiatives are increasingly in focus. In this backdrop, West Bengal—particularly North Bengal—is set to receive a significant boost in railway connectivity with the introduction of new long-distance train services. The region, widely regarded as a stronghold of the Bharatiya Janata Party, will see the launch of several key railway projects in the coming days.
According to official plans, the Prime Minister is scheduled to visit Malda on January 17, where he will flag off a total of seven long-distance trains. These include India’s first Vande Bharat sleeper train and six Amrit Bharat Express services. The move is expected to substantially strengthen rail links between North Bengal and multiple regions across the country, improving mobility, trade and passenger convenience.
Railway sources said the Vande Bharat sleeper train will operate between Howrah and Kamakhya in Assam, marking a major milestone in the evolution of semi-high-speed, long-distance rail travel in India. In addition, the six Amrit Bharat Express trains are aimed at improving connectivity between North Bengal and key cities in West and South India. The proposed routes include New Jalpaiguri–Nagercoil, New Jalpaiguri–Charlapalli, New Alipurduar–Bangalore, Alipurduar Junction–Panvel, Balurghat–Bangalore, and Radhikapur–Bangalore, significantly expanding direct rail access from the region.
Shivram Majhi, Chief Public Relations Officer of Eastern Railway, confirmed that the Prime Minister would flag off several new trains during the Malda event, including the country’s first Vande Bharat sleeper service. He added that multiple railway infrastructure projects would also be inaugurated on the same occasion, and that extensive preparations were under way to ensure the smooth and successful conduct of the programme.
The Prime Minister is also expected to inaugurate the electrification of the New Cooch Behar–Bamanhat and New Cooch Behar–Boxirhat railway lines, further strengthening rail infrastructure in North Bengal. In addition, Malda Town and Kamakhyaguri railway stations, which have been redeveloped under the Amrit Bharat Station scheme, are likely to be formally inaugurated. These initiatives together are expected to enhance passenger amenities, operational efficiency and regional connectivity, while underscoring the growing emphasis on development-driven outreach in the run-up to the 2026 elections.