Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagged off four Vande Bharat trains from Varanasi railway station today. He confirmed the increase in connectivity and comfort once they start running on the rails.
During a trip to X on Saturday, he said, “Vande Bharat trains, which will be shut down shortly, will increase connectivity and convenience!
Earlier, Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw reviewed the arrangements at Varanasi Junction railway station ahead of PM Modi’s visit.
“Tomorrow (Saturday), Prime Minister Narendra Modi will flag off four Vande Bharat services from Varanasi station… All four Vande Bharat services will provide immense comfort to passengers. Be it Amrit Bharat trains, Namo Bharat trains or Vande Bharat trains, the next generation trains are being introduced with a focus on passenger comfort1… At the same time work is being done… on our 10th country stations,” ANI quoted Vaishnawa as saying.
Vande Bharat Train Routes
The new Vande Bharat Express trains are to operate on Banaras-Khajuraho, Lucknow-Saharanpur, Firozpur-Delhi and Ernakulam-Bengaluru routes.
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By significantly reducing travel time between major cities, the trains will strengthen regional connectivity, boost tourism and boost economic activity across India, according to an official statement.
The Banaras-Khajuraho Vande Bharat will provide a direct service on this route, reducing the travel time by around 2 hours and 40 minutes compared to the existing special trains, the company said. It will connect some of India’s most important religious and cultural destinations, including Varanasi, Prayagraj, Chitrakoot and Khajuraho. The tie-up is expected to boost religious and cultural tourism while offering pilgrims and travelers a faster, modern and more convenient journey to UNESCO World Heritage Site Khajuraho.
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The Lucknow-Saharanpur Vande Bharat will cover the route in around 7 hours and 45 minutes, reducing the current travel times by almost an hour, the statement further mentioned, adding that it will benefit passengers from Lucknow, Sitapur, Shahjahanpur, Bareilly, Moradabad, Bijnor and Saharanpur while improving access to the holy city of Roorke Hareidwar. By enabling faster intercity travel across central and western Uttar Pradesh, the service will play a vital role in boosting connectivity and promoting regional development.
The Firozpur-Delhi Vande Bharat will become the fastest train on this corridor, completing the journey in just 6 hours and 40 minutes, the statement added, saying it will improve connectivity between Delhi and major cities in Punjab, including Firozpur, Bathinda and Patiala. The service is expected to boost trade, tourism and employment, contribute to the socio-economic development of border areas and integrate these regions more closely with national markets.
The Ernakulam-Bengaluru Vande Bharat in South India will reduce travel time by over 2 hours and complete the journey in 8 hours 40 minutes, the statement said, adding that by connecting major IT and business hubs, it will provide professionals, students and tourists with a faster and more convenient travel option. The route is expected to boost economic activity and tourism in Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka and promote regional growth and cooperation.
