Prime Minister flags off Kashi-Delhi Vande Bharat sleeper train service
The new overnight rail service via Prayagraj and Kanpur Central aims to reduce travel time for passengers.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagged off the Kashi-Delhi Vande Bharat sleeper train on Saturday, October 31, according to The Federal. The service provides an overnight rail option between Varanasi and New Delhi, passing through Prayagraj, Kanpur Central, Aligarh, and Ghaziabad.
The 16-coach train has a capacity for 823 passengers and offers First AC, Second AC, and Third AC accommodation. It is scheduled to run six days every week, with no service from Varanasi on Fridays or from New Delhi on Saturdays.
The train is designed for speeds up to 160 kmph and features safety systems such as CCTV, fire detection, and the Kavach protection system. Onboard amenities include infotainment screens, charging points, and bio-toilets, with the First AC coach providing shower facilities.
Prime Minister Modi stated that the train would save time for travellers and serve as a link between the national capital and religious destinations. The service will operate under train numbers 27421 from Varanasi to New Delhi and 27422 for the return journey.
In separate developments, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced a Vande Bharat sleeper service between Bengaluru and Mumbai via Hubballi. The Railway Board has also approved a Vande Bharat chair car service between Yesvantpur and Madgaon, which will run six days a week through Mangaluru Junction.