Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is “gifting” West Bengal more than a dozen new trains, including the state’s first Vande Bharat Sleeper Train, which will operate between Guwahati and Kolkata. The Prime Minister will personally inaugurate the train, marking a significant step in enhancing connectivity between the Northeast and Eastern India.

Vaishnaw highlighted that 101 railway stations in West Bengal are undergoing major redevelopment. He emphasized that New Jalpaiguri (NJP) Railway Station, one of the state’s key rail hubs, is being transformed into a world-class facility with the addition of two new platforms and areas for potential IT hubs. He said, “PM Modi is giving West Bengal more than a dozen new trains. The first Vande Bharat Sleeper service will start from Guwahati to Kolkata, and the Prime Minister will inaugurate it. Amrit Bharat Express trains will also begin operations, and 101 stations are being redeveloped, including NJP.”

Prime Minister Modi is visiting West Bengal and Assam on January 17 and 18. On January 17, he will arrive in Malda around 12:45 pm to flag off India’s first Vande Bharat Sleeper Train from Malda Town Railway Station. Later, at 1:45 pm, he will dedicate rail and road infrastructure projects worth over Rs 3,250 crore to the nation and lay their foundation stones. On January 18, the Prime Minister will flag off two new Amrit Bharat Express trains connecting Guwahati–Rohtak and Dibrugarh–Lucknow (Gomti Nagar), further strengthening rail connectivity and providing safer, more convenient travel options between the Northeast and Northern India.