New Delhi, Jan. 1 -- The government has completed the trial, testing, and certification of the Vande Bharat sleeper train and the first route chosen is between Guwahati and Kolkata, Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced on Thursday.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will flag off the first sleeper train sometime soon, the minister said at a press conference.

"For a long time, there has been a demand for new generation trains. Vande Bharat chair car started a new era in Indian Railways. People started liking it a lot. Demands are being received from all corners of the country for running Vande Bharat trains," he said.

"The Vande Bharat Sleeper train has been designed keeping long-distance travel of over a thousand kilometers in mind. ...