Written by Anish MondalJanuary 17, 2026 05:50 AM IST 4 min readPM Modi to flag off new trains in West Bengal including Vande Bharat Sleeper trainPM Modi visit to West Bengal, PM Modi at Malda Town: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will flag off seven new trains today, including the country’s first Vande Bharat Sleeper train, from Malda Town in West Bengal. He will also dedicate to the nation and lay the foundation stone for multiple rail and road infrastructure projects worth over Rs 3,250 crore.Also Read | Howrah-Guwahati Vande Bharat Sleeper ticket booking to begin soon – 5 things every passengers should knowPM Modi to launch Vande Bharat Sleeper train between Howrah and Guwahati (Kamakhya)The Prime Minister will flag off the first Vande Bharat Sleeper train on the Howrah–Guwahati (Kamakhya) route from Malda Town railway station. He will also virtually flag off the Guwahati (Kamakhya)–Howrah Vande Bharat Sleeper service.This new semi-high-speed train will make long-distance journeys faster, safer, and more convenient. It will reduce the travel time by around 2.5 hours on the Howrah–Guwahati (Kamakhya) route.Also Read | Guwahati (Kamakhya)-Howrah Vande Bharat Sleeper train to commence inaugural run on Jan 17 – check timings, stoppagesPM Modi to flag off 4 new Amrit Bharat Express trains – check routesPM Modi will also flag off four new Amrit Bharat Express trains. These trains are expected to further enhance affordable and reliable long-distance rail connectivity. These services will support the mobility needs of common citizens, students, migrant workers and traders, while strengthening inter-state economic and social linkages.These trains will run on the following routes:New Jalpaiguri- Nagercoil Amrit Bharat ExpressNew Jalpaiguri- Tiruchirappalli Amrit Bharat ExpressAlipurduar – SMVT Bengaluru Amrit Bharat ExpressAlipurduar – Mumbai (Panvel) Amrit Bharat ExpressAlso Read | Alipurduar-SMVT Bengaluru Amrit Bharat Express: Train number, route, stoppages, frequency, time tableStory continues below this adPM Modi to flag off 2 new Express trains – check routesThe Prime Minister will also flag off two new train services equipped with LHB coaches. These new trains will provide the region’s youth, students and IT professionals with direct, safe and comfortable travel connectivity to major IT and employment hubs. These trains are:Radhikapur – SMVT Bengaluru ExpressBalurghat – SMVT Bengaluru ExpressPM Modi to lay foundation stone of 4 major railway projects in West BengalLater, the Prime Minister will also lay the foundation stone of four major railway projects in West Bengal, including the new rail line between Balurghat and Hili, next-generation freight maintenance facilities at New Jalpaiguri, upgradation of the Siliguri Loco Shed and modernization of Vande Bharat train maintenance facilities in Jalpaiguri district.Also Read | Vande Bharat Sleeper Express fare: How much it will cost from Howrah/Kamakhya to Malda, NJPPM Modi to dedicate electrification of rail linesThe Prime Minister will dedicate to the nation the electrification of rail lines between New Coochbehar–Bamanhat and New Coochbehar–Boxirhat. The electrification will enable faster, cleaner and more energy-efficient train operations.Story continues below this adApart from the railway projects, the Prime Minister will also lay the foundation stone for the four-laning of the Dhupguri–Falakata section of National Highway-31D. This is one of the key road project that will improve regional road connectivity and facilitate smoother movement of passengers and goods in North Bengal.Anish Mondal is a journalist with over nine years of experience covering the railways and roadways. Currently a member of the Indianexpress.com editorial team, Anish specializes in high-impact sectors. Professional Journey Anish began his career at the public broadcaster Rajya Sabha Television (now Sansad TV), where he developed a foundational understanding of legislative processes and national governance. In 2018, he transitioned to digital financial journalism at FinancialExpress.com, spending nearly six years refining his expertise in market trends and corporate reporting. Before joining The Indian Express in 2025, he served as a key contributor at ETNowNews.com. Education & Expertise Anish’s reporting is backed by a rigorous academic background in communication and the humanities: Master of Journalism and Mass Communication (MJMC) – Apeejay Stya University Post Graduate Diploma in Journalism and Production (PGTVRJP) – Apeejay Institute of Mass Communication Bachelor of Arts (English Honours) – University of Calcutta Areas of Coverage Connectivity: Detailed reporting on the expansion of Indian Railways and National Highway networks. ... Read MoreStay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram© IE Online Media Services Pvt Ltd