Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday flagged off four new Vande Bharat Express trains from Varanasi, his parliamentary constituency in Uttar Pradesh, marking another milestone in India’s railway modernisation drive.
New routes to boost connectivity
The newly launched trains will operate on the Banaras-Khajuraho, Lucknow-Saharanpur, Firozpur-Delhi, and Ernakulam-Bengaluru routes. Addressing a gathering after the inauguration, PM Modi said these services would “enhance connectivity and provide greater comfort” to citizens, adding that trains like Vande Bharat, Namo Bharat, and Amrit Bharat represent the “new generation of Indian Railways.”
Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath were also present at the ceremony.
Focus on infrastructure-led growth
Highlighting the importance of infrastructure in national development, PM Modi said, “Infrastructure is not just about big bridges and highways. Whenever such systems are developed anywhere, it sparks the overall development of that region.” He emphasised that infrastructure has been a major factor in the economic growth of developed countries, and India too is moving fast on this path.
Route details
Banaras–Khajuraho Vande Bharat
This train will provide direct connectivity between key cultural and religious destinations, including Varanasi, Prayagraj, Chitrakoot, and Khajuraho. The journey will save about two hours and forty minutes compared to existing services, boosting religious and cultural tourism.
Lucknow–Saharanpur Vande Bharat
The Lucknow-Saharanpur route will cover its journey in approximately seven hours and forty-five minutes, cutting travel time by about an hour. The train will benefit passengers from cities such as Sitapur, Bareilly, and Moradabad, while improving access to Haridwar via Roorkee.
Firozpur–Delhi Vande Bharat
This will be the fastest train between Delhi and Punjab’s Firozpur, completing the journey in six hours and forty minutes. The route is expected to enhance connectivity with Bathinda and Patiala, fostering trade and employment opportunities.
Ernakulam–Bengaluru Vande Bharat
Reducing travel time by over two hours, the Ernakulam-Bengaluru service will complete its journey in eight hours and forty minutes. It will strengthen links between Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka, promoting tourism and business across southern India.