India’s push to modernise long-distance rail travel moved a step ahead with the launch of the Howrah–Guwahati (Kamakhya) Vande Bharat Sleeper Train, inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Malda Town Railway Station on January 17. The new train not only promises better speed and better facilities but also has a unique feature that focuses on addressing a common complaint of its passengers: hygiene.
A hygiene upgrade for overnight journeys
Overnight train travel in India has often drawn complaints about the cleanliness of blankets and bedding. Keeping this in mind, Indian Railways has introduced the concept of a removable blanket cover for the Vande Bharat Sleeper.
A recent travel vlog from onboard the train offered a closer look at the new system. The vlogger showed a blue, checkered blanket that looks different from the traditional ones used on older trains. According to the explanation, the colour and fabric have been chosen to reduce visible staining and give a cleaner appearance.
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How the removable blanket cover works
The key change lies in the white blanket cover provided along with the blanket. Branded with the Northern Frontier Railway (NFR) logo, the cover is meant to be placed over the blanket during use. After a passenger completes their journey, the cover is removed and replaced with a fresh one for the next traveller.
Watch the video here:
This system ensures that each passenger uses a clean cover, even if the blanket itself is reused. It also addresses frequent complaints about being given “used” blankets, while helping the railways reduce the cost and logistics of washing heavy blankets after every trip.
Premium linen kit for every AC passenger
Ahead of the train’s launch, the Railway Board directed that all AC passengers on the Vande Bharat Sleeper would receive a premium, mill-made linen kit. Each kit includes:
A bed sheet
A pillow with a cover
A wool-rich premium blanket with a removable cover
A hand towel
The move is aimed at maintaining uniform standards across AC classes.
What else does the Vande Bharat Sleeper offer?
Running between Howrah and Guwahati, the Vande Bharat Sleeper is designed to cut travel time by around 2.5 hours. It has a design speed of 180 kmph and features 16 coaches, including 3-tier, 2-tier and First Class AC.
The train is equipped with safety systems such as Kavach and emergency talk-back facilities. It can carry 823 passengers, with AC 3-tier fares starting at Rs 960, AC 2-tier at Rs 1,240 and First Class AC at Rs 1,520. For journeys over 1,000 km, fares go up to Rs 3,800.
Onboard services include region-specific meals, with Assamese dishes on Guwahati-origin trains and Bengali fare on services starting from Kolkata. Only confirmed ticket holders are allowed to board, with no VIP or emergency quota.
