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The Howrah-Kamakhya Vande Bharat Sleeper Express has attracted very strong interest from passengers since it began regular commercial service, showing that people really like this new train. The train was officially flagged off by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 17 January 2026, and it started running from Howrah station
on 23 January and from Kamakhya station on 22 January. This service connects South Bengal with the northeastern region, offering a new premium overnight rail travel.
Train Bookings
Almost every day since commercial services began, train bookings have been over 100% full. Between 23 and 29 January, the average occupancy was around 128%, and bookings beyond that date have also stayed high. On 30 January, the train recorded more than 117% occupancy across all classes, including 133% in AC First Class, 116% in AC 2-Tier, and 117% in AC 3-Tier.
High Demand from Passengers
This unusually high demand suggests that many travellers prefer this train for its comfort, faster journey time, and convenience compared with other options. People from South Bengal and nearby areas are choosing it for trips to destinations in North Bengal and Assam, which shows the train's appeal for both tourism and long-distance travel.
Vande Bharat Express Train New Features
The Vande Bharat Sleeper Express is designed to be comfortable and modern, with features including better cushioning and cosy sleeping berths that make long trips more pleasant than on many other trains. This likely explains why so many tickets were booked quickly and why the train is in high demand.
Moreover, the strong booking pattern and high occupancy rates reflect how popular the new Vande Bharat Sleeper Express has become with passengers, marking an exciting development in Indian Railways' overnight travel services.
