Varanasi/New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday inaugurated four new Vande Bharat Express trains from Varanasi, marking another milestone in India’s expanding semi-high-speed rail network, which now boasts over 160 services nationwide.
Among the newly launched routes, the Firozpur Cantt–New Delhi Vande Bharat Express has drawn particular attention, linking Punjab’s border regions with the national capital through a faster, modern rail corridor.
The train, operating six days a week (except Wednesdays), leaves Firozpur Cantt at 7:55 a.m. and halts at Bathinda, Dhuri, Patiala, Ambala Cantt, Kurukshetra, and Panipat, before arriving in New Delhi at 2:35 p.m. The return service departs from Delhi at 4:00 p.m. and reaches Firozpur at 10:35 p.m.
Built at Chennai’s Integral Coach Factory, the eight-coach train includes seven AC chair cars and one executive coach, equipped with automatic doors, bio-toilets, onboard Wi-Fi, and GPS-based passenger information systems. It is designed to reach speeds of up to 160 kmph.
Officials said the new train will reduce travel time by more than two hours, offering a faster alternative to the Shatabdi Express and significantly improving connectivity for Punjab’s agricultural and industrial hubs. With improved access to Delhi’s trade centers, towns such as Patiala and Bathinda are expected to see enhanced opportunities for textile, dairy, and farm produce exports.
“This route holds both economic and strategic value, linking the state’s border regions more effectively to the national capital while supporting local industries,” a railway official said.
The Prime Minister, speaking at the virtual flag-off ceremony, said the new Vande Bharat services “represent India’s growing confidence in indigenous rail technology and faster, cleaner travel.”
Other New Routes Strengthen Connectivity
The launch also included three other Vande Bharat routes across India:
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Varanasi–Khajuraho Vande Bharat Express: Connecting Varanasi’s spiritual heritage with Madhya Pradesh’s famed temple town, the train covers 443 km in 7 hours 40 minutes, cutting nearly three hours off existing travel times. It operates six days a week (except Thursdays), halting at Vindhyachal, Prayagraj Chheoki, Chitrakoot Dham, Banda, and Mahoba.
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Lucknow–Saharanpur Vande Bharat Express: This 518-km service links central and western Uttar Pradesh in 7 hours 45 minutes, benefiting traders and students traveling to Moradabad, Roorkee, and Bareilly. It runs six days a week, except Sundays.
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Ernakulam–Bengaluru Vande Bharat Express: Covering 608 km in 8 hours 40 minutes, this southern route enhances connectivity between Kerala’s commercial hub and Karnataka’s IT capital. Operating six days a week (except Wednesdays), it passes through Salem, Erode, Coimbatore, and Palakkad.
Each new route trims existing journey times by one to two hours, with the Railway Ministry emphasizing the trains’ role in “reshaping regional economies and boosting tourism.”
Railway officials also highlighted that all four trains are part of the government’s ‘Make in India’ initiative, featuring improved energy efficiency, enhanced passenger comfort, and safety features such as anti-collision systems and regenerative braking.
With the addition of these four services, the Vande Bharat network now connects every major region of India, reflecting the government’s goal of transforming passenger rail travel into a faster, cleaner, and more comfortable experience for millions.
