4 Vande Bharat trains to be launched tomorrow; check routes
What's the story
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will flag off four new Vande Bharat Express trains on Wednesday from Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh. The routes of the new trains include Banaras-Khajuraho, Lucknow-Saharanpur, Firozpur-Delhi, and Ernakulam-Bengaluru. By significantly reducing travel time between major destinations, these trains will enhance regional mobility, promote tourism, and support economic activity across the country, the PMO said.
Economic impact
Banaras-Khajuraho train will reduce travel time by 2 hours
The Banaras-Khajuraho train will reduce travel time by two hours and 40 minutes, connecting major religious and cultural sites such as Varanasi, Prayagraj, Chitrakoot, and Khajuraho. The Lucknow-Saharanpur Vande Bharat will cover the journey in approximately seven hours and 45 minutes, saving nearly one hour of travel time. It will benefit passengers from Lucknow, Sitapur, Shahjahanpur, Bareilly, Moradabad, Bijnor, and Saharanpur, while also improving access to the holy city of Haridwar via Roorkee.
Connectivity boost
Ernakulam-Bengaluru Vande Bharat
The Firozpur-Delhi Vande Bharat will be the fastest train on this route, taking six hours and 40 minutes. The train will improve connectivity between the national capital and Punjab's main cities, including Firozpur, Bathinda, and Patiala. Meanwhile, the Ernakulam-Bengaluru Vande Bharat in Southern India will save travel time by more than two hours, completing the route in eight hours and 40 minutes. The express will connect important IT and commercial areas, allowing professionals, students, and visitors to travel more quickly.
Preparations underway
Yogi Adityanath reviews preparations at Varanasi railway station
Ahead of PM Modi's visit, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath reviewed preparations at Varanasi railway station. He directed officials to ensure security arrangements, passenger facilities, and beautification works are in place. During his visit to the holy city, the prime minister will also interact with around 3,200 prominent citizens, including educationists, industrialists, social workers, and experts from various fields.