Yogi Adityanath and Ashwini Vaishnaw flag off Varanasi-New Delhi Vande Bharat Sleeper
The new semi-high-speed overnight service aims to improve connectivity and reduce travel times between eastern Uttar Pradesh and the national capital.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw flagged off the Varanasi-New Delhi Vande Bharat Sleeper train on Saturday. The new service provides an overnight travel option between the two cities.
The train will depart Varanasi at 8.50 pm and arrive in New Delhi at 6.10 am the next day. For the return journey, it leaves New Delhi at 9.40 pm and reaches Varanasi at 7.10 am the following morning.
The service operates six days a week, with the Varanasi-originating train running every day except Friday, and the New Delhi-originating train running every day except Saturday. The route includes stops at Prayagraj, Kanpur Central, Aligarh, and Ghaziabad.
Railway Minister Vaishnaw described the train as a major gift for Varanasi and the Purvanchal region. He stated that the schedule was designed to facilitate overnight travel for passengers.
The 16-coach train has a total capacity of 823 passengers, consisting of 11 three-tier coaches, four two-tier coaches, and one first AC coach. It features a design speed of up to 180 kmph.
The new service is expected to ease congestion on the route, as existing Vande Bharat Chair Car services are currently at full occupancy. It will reduce journey times compared to the Shiv Ganga Express by 55 minutes from Varanasi to New Delhi and by 35 minutes on the return leg.