New Delhi, 1 Jan

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will soon flag off India’s first Vande Bharat Sleeper Train between Kolkata and Guwahati, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said on Thursday.

Addressing a press conference, Vaishnaw said the sleeper service between Howrah in West Bengal and Guwahati in Assam would be significantly cheaper than flying.

"The services will become operational in the next 15-20 days, possibly around 18 or 19 January. We have requested the prime minister, and everything is clear. I will announce the exact date in the next two to three days," the minister said.

He noted that airfare on the Guwahati-Howrah route usually ranges between Rs 6,000 and Rs 8,000.

"In Vande Bharat, the 3rd AC fare will be around Rs 2,300, including food, 2nd AC around Rs 3,000, and 1st AC around Rs 3,600. The fares have been designed keeping the middle class in mind," Vaishnaw said.

Assembly elections are due this year in both Assam and West Bengal. 

 On 8 Nov, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in Varanasi, also flagged off four new Vande Bharat Express trains here from the Banaras railway station.