New Delhi, Jan. 2 -- Prime Minister Narendra Modi will flag off the country's first Vande Bharat sleeper train this month between Kamakhya in Guwahati and Howrah, marking the launch of India's first overnight semi-high-speed service, Union railways minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said on Thursday.

He also gave a timeline for the launch of India's first bullet train service, setting a date of August 15, 2027, and adding that the network will be made operational in sections.

"For the bullet train, all of you should buy tickets now for 2027. The first section to open will be from Surat to Bilimora. After that, Vapi to Surat will open. Then Vapi to Ahmedabad will open, and after that, Thane to Ahmedabad will open, and then Mumbai to Ahmedabad wil...