Guwahati, Jan 22 (NationPress) The eagerly anticipated commercial operation of the Semi High Speed Vande Bharat Sleeper commenced its inaugural journey on Thursday from the Kamakhya Railway Station, located near Guwahati, as per railway officials.

The Chief Public Relations Officer (CPRO) of the Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR), Kapinjal Kishore Sharma, noted that the fortunate travelers on the initial trip from Kamakhya to Howrah (Kolkata) shared their excitement about this premium train experience.

At the Kamakhya station, railway staff greeted passengers with roses, making their journey a memorable one.

All seats for the inaugural service were booked within hours of ticket reservations opening via PRS and other platforms, reflecting the strong demand from travelers eager to enjoy the speed, comfort, and modern amenities of the Vande Bharat Sleeper, which was launched by the Prime Minister on January 17.

Passengers expressed satisfaction with the quality of bedrolls and a diverse selection of high-quality food served on board. Many travelers praised this ‘Make in India’ initiative by the Government of India, noting the cleanliness and prompt assistance from the staff.

Some passengers reminded others of their collective responsibility to maintain cleanliness and hygiene during the journey. The return trip service (No. 27575) from Howrah is set to begin on January 23.

During their journey, passengers will be treated to sumptuous Assamese and Bengali dishes, alongside premium bedrolls, courtesy of caterers associated with IRCTC.

Additionally, the CPRO revealed that the new-generation Vande Bharat Sleeper Express will feature a 16-coach configuration with a total capacity of 823 passengers.

The composition consists of 11 AC three-tier coaches, four AC two-tier coaches, and one First Class AC coach, providing comfortable travel options for various passenger segments.

The Vande Bharat Sleeper Express is designed with a strong focus on passenger comfort, featuring ergonomically designed cushioned berths, advanced suspension systems, noise-reduction technology, automatic doors with vestibules, and a modern Passenger Information System.

Special provisions for 'Divyangjan' (differently-abled) passengers, contemporary toilets, and advanced disinfection technology will further enhance hygiene, accessibility, and onboard comfort.

Safety is a key feature of the Vande Bharat Sleeper Express. The train will be equipped with the 'Kavach' automatic train protection system, emergency passenger talk-back units, and a state-of-the-art driver's cab with advanced controls.