PM Modi to Flag Off Four New Vande Bharat Trains and Launch Major Railway Projects from Varanasi Next Week
In a major boost to India’s modern rail connectivity, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate four new Vande Bharat Express trains and unveil several key railway projects from Varanasi next week. These new semi high-speed services, approved by the Ministry of Railways, will connect major cities across North, South, and Central India, furthering the government’s vision of faster, safer, and more comfortable train travel.
Among the new services, the Varanasi–Khajuraho Vande Bharat Express (Train Nos. 26421/26422) will link Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh, connecting important pilgrimage and tourist destinations. The train will depart Varanasi at 05:25 hrs and reach Khajuraho at 13:10 hrs, while the return service will leave Khajuraho at 15:20 hrs and arrive at Varanasi at 23:00 hrs. It will halt at Vindhyachal, Prayagraj Chheoki, Chitrakutdham, Banda, and Mahoba, operating six days a week except Thursday.
The Saharanpur–Lucknow Vande Bharat Express (Train Nos. 26503/26504), approved under the Northern and North Eastern Railways, will strengthen rail connectivity across western and central Uttar Pradesh. The service will connect Saharanpur, Roorkee, Najibabad, Moradabad, Bareilly, Shahjahanpur, Sitapur City, and Lucknow Junction, enhancing regional mobility and passenger convenience.
In the north, the Firozpur–Delhi Vande Bharat Express (Train Nos. 26461/26462) will connect Punjab with the national capital. The train will halt at Faridkot, Bathinda, Dhuri, Patiala, Ambala Cantt., Kurukshetra, and Panipat, running six days a week except Wednesday. It will help decongest existing routes and offer a faster option for travelers between Delhi and Punjab’s border belt.
Down south, the KSR Bengaluru–Ernakulam Vande Bharat Express (Train Nos. 26651/26652) will boost connectivity between Karnataka and Kerala. The service will operate six days a week (except Wednesday), covering key commercial and cultural hubs including Krishnarajapuram, Salem, Erode, Tiruppur, Coimbatore, Palakkad, and Thrissur. Departing Bengaluru at 05:10 hrs, the train will reach Ernakulam at 13:50 hrs, while the return journey will leave Ernakulam at 14:20 hrs and arrive at Bengaluru at 23:00 hrs.
These four new trains are part of the Indian Railways’ accelerated modernization program, emphasizing comfort, punctuality, and cutting-edge technology. Each service features modern onboard systems, upgraded seating, GPS-based passenger information, and energy-efficient propulsion for reduced travel time.
The upcoming event in Varanasi—Prime Minister Modi’s parliamentary constituency—will not only mark the inauguration of these four new Vande Bharat services but also include the foundation laying for multiple infrastructure projects aimed at strengthening India’s rail network.
With these launches, the Indian Railways moves closer to its goal of a fully modern, interconnected, and passenger-centric network, linking distant corners of the country through speed and comfort.
