With the inauguration of four new Vande Bharat Express trains from Varanasi, India’s semi-high-speed fleet has reached a total of 164 services across the country. Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagged off the new trains on Saturday, further expanding one of Indian Railways’ most successful modern train initiatives.
According to Dilip Kumar, Executive Director of Information and Publicity for the Railway Board, “We already have 156 Vande Bharat Express services across the country, and with the addition of 8 new services, the total will now be 164.” The newly launched trains include the Banaras-Khajuraho, Lucknow-Saharanpur, Firozpur-Delhi, and Ernakulam-Bengaluru routes.
Banaras–Khajuraho Vande Bharat Express
This service establishes direct connectivity between Banaras and Khajuraho, reducing travel time by nearly 2 hours and 40 minutes compared to existing trains. It connects several religious and cultural destinations, including Varanasi, Prayagraj, Chitrakoot, and Khajuraho. The route is expected to significantly boost pilgrimage and heritage tourism, offering travellers a faster and more comfortable journey to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Khajuraho.
Lucknow–Saharanpur Vande Bharat Express
Covering the journey in approximately 7 hours and 45 minutes, this train saves nearly an hour of travel time. It will benefit passengers from Lucknow, Sitapur, Shahjahanpur, Bareilly, Moradabad, Bijnor, and Saharanpur while improving access to Haridwar via Roorkee. The train is expected to enhance mobility and regional development in western and central Uttar Pradesh by connecting major cities efficiently.
Firozpur–Delhi Vande Bharat Express
The Firozpur–Delhi service will be the fastest train on this route, completing the journey in just 6 hours and 40 minutes. It links the national capital with key cities in Punjab — including Firozpur, Bathinda, and Patiala. The train is expected to strengthen trade, tourism, and employment opportunities, fostering better integration of Punjab’s border regions with national markets.
Ernakulam–Bengaluru Vande Bharat Express
Connecting Kerala’s commercial hub Ernakulam with Bengaluru, this new service will cut travel time by more than 2 hours, completing the journey in 8 hours and 40 minutes. The train will serve major IT and business hubs, offering professionals, students, and tourists a faster and more comfortable option. It will also enhance economic activity and tourism between Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka, promoting regional collaboration and growth.
