A Vande Bharat Express train connecting Dibrugarh and Guwahati is in the planning stage and is expected to be launched soon, Additional Divisional Railway Manager (ADRM), Tinsukia Division, Ajay Kumar Pradhan announced on Wednesday, though he refrained from sharing operational details and timelines.
Pradhan made this disclosure while inspecting the Moranhat Railway Station in Dibrugarh, where he reviewed preparations ahead of the inauguration of the Dibrugarh-Gomti Nagar Amrit Bharat Sleeper Express, scheduled to be flagged off on January 18.
“A Vande Bharat Express connecting Dibrugarh and Guwahati has been planned under the Northeast Frontier Railway. However, further information cannot be shared at this stage,” Pradhan told the media during his station visit.
The announcement has generated excitement among passengers and railway enthusiasts in upper Assam, as the introduction of a Vande Bharat service would significantly reduce travel time between the two cities and provide modern, high-speed connectivity. Currently, passengers rely on conventional trains for the 507-km rail journey between Dibrugarh and Guwahati via Moranhat.
During Wednesday’s inspection, Pradhan and his team conducted a thorough assessment of Moranhat Railway Station’s readiness for the upcoming Amrit Bharat Express inauguration. The review covered security arrangements, passenger amenities, platform decoration, communication systems, and overall logistical preparedness.
“We have thoroughly reviewed crowd management measures and coordination protocols to ensure the smooth conduct of the inauguration event,” the ADRM stated.
Officials also examined whether all necessary infrastructure and services are in place to handle the anticipated increase in passenger footfall during the flagging-off ceremony.Regarding the Dibrugarh-Gomti Nagar Amrit Bharat Sleeper Express, Pradhan confirmed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will virtually flag off the service on January 18.
“This new weekly train is expected to significantly enhance long-distance rail connectivity between upper Assam and Uttar Pradesh, benefiting passengers travelling for education, employment, medical treatment and other purposes,” he said.
The Amrit Bharat Express, part of the Indian Railways’ push to modernise sleeper class travel, will provide affordable yet comfortable long-distance connectivity, bridging the gap between premium and ordinary trains.
While the Vande Bharat announcement remains tentative, railway sources suggest that such a service would be a game-changer for the region, offering semi-high-speed connectivity with world-class amenities. However, passengers will have to wait for official confirmation on routes, schedules, and launch dates.
The Northeast Frontier Railway has been gradually expanding its premium train services in the region, and the proposed Dibrugarh-Guwahati Vande Bharat would mark another milestone in this modernisation drive.
