Railway Board Approves New Varanasi–Khajuraho Vande Bharat Express: Boost to Tourism and Regional Connectivity
In a significant move to enhance rail connectivity and promote tourism between Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh, the Ministry of Railways has approved the introduction of a new Vande Bharat Express service between Varanasi and Khajuraho. The approval, issued on 31 October 2025, comes under Railway Board communication No. 2025/CHG/16/NR/40-PART(7). The circular was addressed to the General Managers of Northern Railway (New Delhi) and North Central Railway (Prayagraj), marking it as a priority project.
The train, numbered 26421/26422, will operate six days a week, except Thursday, offering a fast, semi-high-speed connection between two major spiritual and cultural destinations. The service is expected to benefit tourists, pilgrims, and local passengers across the route.
According to the schedule, the Varanasi–Khajuraho Vande Bharat Express (Train No. 26422) will depart from Varanasi at 05:25 hrs and reach Khajuraho at 13:10 hrs. On its return journey, the Khajuraho–Varanasi Vande Bharat Express (Train No. 26421) will leave Khajuraho at 15:20 hrs and arrive in Varanasi at 23:00 hrs.
The train will make commercial halts at Vindhyachal, Prayagraj Chheoki, Chitrakutdham, Banda, and Mahoba, connecting some of the most revered religious and historical sites in North India. Intermediate operational halts such as Block Hut ‘K’ are also listed in the schedule.
The primary maintenance of the train will be handled at Varanasi, with watering facilities at the designated stations. The Railway Board has directed that the inaugural service may be operated as a special run, after which it will commence regular service operations.
