Varanasi (Uttar Pradesh), November 8 (Udaipur Kiran): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday flagged off four new Vande Bharat Express trains from his parliamentary constituency, Varanasi, giving a major boost to India’s high-speed rail network. The event took place at the Banaras Railway Station, where chants of “Har Har Mahadev” echoed across the platform as the Prime Minister arrived to inaugurate the new services.
At around 8:48 AM, Prime Minister Modi gave the green signal to the four new Vande Bharat routes — Banaras–Khajuraho, Lucknow–Saharanpur, Firozpur–Delhi, and Ernakulam–Bengaluru. These new trains are expected to significantly reduce travel time, enhance regional mobility, and promote tourism and trade across multiple states.
Banaras–Khajuraho Vande Bharat Express: A Spiritual Link
The Banaras–Khajuraho Vande Bharat Express will save nearly two hours and forty minutes compared to the existing special trains. It connects some of India’s most iconic spiritual and cultural cities — Varanasi, Prayagraj, Chitrakoot, and Khajuraho, the latter being a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Symbolically, the train connects Lord Shiva’s city, Kashi (Varanasi), with Khajuraho’s Matangeshwar Mahadev Temple, making it spiritually significant as well. Notably, this is the eighth Vande Bharat for Varanasi, with the number eight considered auspicious in Hindu numerology.
Lucknow–Saharanpur Vande Bharat Express
This train will complete its journey in about 7 hours and 45 minutes, reducing travel time by nearly an hour. The service will benefit passengers from Lucknow, Sitapur, Shahjahanpur, Bareilly, Moradabad, Bijnor, and Saharanpur, while also improving access to Haridwar via Roorkee. The route will play a key role in strengthening connectivity and regional development across central and western Uttar Pradesh.
Firozpur–Delhi Vande Bharat Express
The Firozpur–Delhi Vande Bharat is now the fastest train on this route, completing its journey in just 6 hours and 40 minutes. The service will enhance rail connectivity between Delhi, Bathinda, and Patiala, boosting trade, tourism, and employment opportunities in Punjab.
Ernakulam–Bengaluru Vande Bharat Express
In southern India, the Ernakulam–Bengaluru Vande Bharat Express will cut travel time by more than two hours, completing the journey in 8 hours and 40 minutes. The route will link major IT and commercial hubs and is expected to promote economic and tourism activities across Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka.
Total Vande Bharat Services Rise to 164
Speaking about the new services, Dilip Kumar, Executive Director (Information & Publicity), Railway Board, said, “India already has 156 operational Vande Bharat services. With the addition of these eight new routes, the total will now reach 164.”
He added that these new services — including Banaras–Khajuraho, Lucknow–Saharanpur, Firozpur–Delhi, and Ernakulam–Coimbatore–Bengaluru — will further improve speed, comfort, and connectivity for passengers nationwide.
The launch of these four Vande Bharat trains marks another milestone in India’s modern rail journey, reinforcing the government’s commitment to world-class travel infrastructure and a more connected India.
Bhupendra Singh Chundawat is a seasoned technology journalist with over 22 years of experience in the media industry. He specializes in covering the global technology landscape, with a deep focus on manufacturing trends and the geopolitical impact on tech companies. Currently serving as the Editor at Udaipur Kiran, his insights are shaped by decades of hands-on reporting and editorial leadership in the fast-evolving world of technology.
