Varanasi, November 8, 2025 – Prime Minister Narendra Modi today flagged off four new Vande Bharat Express trains from Varanasi, significantly boosting India's modern rail network. The new trains will operate on the following routes: Varanasi–Khajuraho, Lucknow–Saharanpur, Firozpur–Delhi, and Ernakulam–Bengaluru.
The launch of these Vande Bharat trains marks a major step in the expansion of India's rail infrastructure, with the aim of reducing travel times, promoting tourism, and stimulating economic activity across key regions. The Prime Minister emphasized the government's commitment to providing citizens with modern, comfortable, and efficient transportation options.
The Banaras-Khajuraho Vande Bharat Express is expected to save approximately 2 hours and 40 minutes of travel time compared to existing special trains. This train will connect several significant religious and cultural sites, including Varanasi, Prayagraj, Chitrakoot, and Khajuraho. This enhanced connectivity is expected to boost religious and cultural tourism, offering pilgrims and tourists a faster and more comfortable journey to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Khajuraho.
The Lucknow-Saharanpur Vande Bharat Express is projected to complete its journey in approximately 7 hours and 45 minutes, saving nearly an hour of travel time. This service will benefit passengers from Lucknow, Sitapur, Shahjahanpur, Bareilly, Moradabad, Bijnor, and Saharanpur, while also improving access to Haridwar via Roorkee. By providing smoother and faster intercity travel across central and western Uttar Pradesh, this train is expected to play a key role in enhancing connectivity and regional development.
The Firozpur-Delhi Vande Bharat Express is set to be the fastest train on its route, completing the journey in just 6 hours and 40 minutes. This train aims to strengthen connectivity between the national capital and key cities in Punjab, including Firozpur, Bathinda, and Patiala. It is anticipated to boost trade, tourism, and employment opportunities in the region.
These new Vande Bharat Express trains are equipped with modern amenities, including comfortable seating, advanced safety features, and improved passenger information systems. The trains are designed to provide a superior travel experience, encouraging more people to choose rail travel. The introduction of these trains aligns with the government's vision of transforming the Indian Railways into a modern, efficient, and world-class transportation network. The new routes represent a significant advancement in connecting diverse regions of India, promising to enhance mobility, support economic growth, and promote cultural exchange.
