Modi Flags Off 4 New Vande Bharat Trains from Varanasi

In a significant stride towards modernizing India’s rail network and enhancing regional mobility, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, from his parliamentary constituency of Varanasi, flagged off four new Vande Bharat Express trains on Saturday. The launch of these indigenously manufactured, semi-high-speed trains marks another major milestone in the government’s ambitious railway modernization drive, substantially reducing travel time and strengthening the links between key cultural, economic, and commercial centers across the country.

The four new routes inaugurated are:

1. Banaras–Khajuraho Vande Bharat Express
2. Lucknow–Saharanpur Vande Bharat Express
3. Firozpur–Delhi Vande Bharat Express
4. Ernakulam–Bengaluru Vande Bharat Express

Addressing the flag-off ceremony at Banaras Railway Station, Prime Minister Modi hailed the Vande Bharat trains as a “symbol of the transformation of Indian Railways” and a testament to the nation’s indigenous technological capabilities. He emphasized that world-class infrastructure development remains a key component in India’s journey toward becoming a developed nation, highlighting that the total count of Vande Bharat services has now reached a significant number, all contributing to economic growth.

🗺️ New Routes and Key Benefits

The introduction of these four services is strategically designed to boost tourism, trade, and intercity travel by drastically cutting down journey duration:

1. Banaras–Khajuraho Vande Bharat Express

This train is poised to be a major catalyst for religious and cultural tourism. It establishes direct connectivity between the spiritual capital of Varanasi and the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Khajuraho. The route also links revered destinations like Prayagraj and Chitrakoot. Compared to existing special trains, this service is expected to save travelers around 2 hours and 40 minutes, offering a fast, comfortable, and modern journey for pilgrims and tourists alike.

2. Lucknow–Saharanpur Vande Bharat Express

Connecting Central and Western Uttar Pradesh, this train will significantly benefit passengers across major cities, including Lucknow, Sitapur, Shahjahanpur, Bareilly, Moradabad, Bijnor, and Saharanpur. Completing the journey in approximately 7 hours and 45 minutes, it saves nearly an hour of travel time and improves access to the holy city of Haridwar via Roorkee, enhancing regional development.

3. Firozpur–Delhi Vande Bharat Express

Becoming the fastest train on this corridor, the Firozpur–Delhi Vande Bharat will complete the journey in just 6 hours and 40 minutes. This service is crucial for strengthening connectivity between the national capital and key cities in Punjab, such as Firozpur, Bathinda, and Patiala. The launch is expected to provide a significant boost to trade, tourism, and employment opportunities, contributing to the socio-economic development of the border regions.

4. Ernakulam–Bengaluru Vande Bharat Express

Catering to South India’s bustling economic corridor, this train connects major IT and commercial hubs. It will reduce the travel time between Ernakulam and Bengaluru by over two hours, completing the distance in 8 hours and 40 minutes. The service offers a faster and more comfortable travel option for professionals, students, and tourists, promoting greater economic activity and collaboration between Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka.

A New Era for Rail Travel

Each Vande Bharat Express, built by the Integral Coach Factory (ICF) in Chennai, is equipped with modern amenities such as automatic doors, bio-toilets, Wi-Fi connectivity, and supports speeds up to 160 kmph. The Prime Minister noted that the swift expansion of this network is contributing significantly to the nation’s economy by reducing logistical bottlenecks and improving mobility for all sections of society. The government’s consistent focus on better connectivity between pilgrimage sites was also highlighted as a factor boosting tourism and opening new economic horizons for states like Uttar Pradesh.

The launch underscores the government’s commitment to delivering world-class railway experiences and reinforces the vision of a connected and rapidly progressing India.