PM Modi Flags Off Four New Vande Bharat Express Trains from Varanasi

Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh: Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated four new Vande Bharat Express trains during his visit to Varanasi on Saturday, further expanding India’s high-speed rail network. The newly launched trains will operate on the Banaras–Khajuraho, Lucknow–Saharanpur, Firozpur–Delhi, and Ernakulam–Bengaluru routes.

The addition of these routes marks another milestone in the government’s ongoing effort to enhance connectivity, promote regional development, and boost religious and cultural tourism across the country. The new services are expected to provide faster, safer, and more comfortable travel experiences while significantly reducing journey times.

Enhanced Connectivity Across Key Routes

The Banaras–Khajuraho Vande Bharat Express will directly connect prominent spiritual and cultural centers such as Varanasi, Prayagraj, Chitrakoot, and Khajuraho — the latter being a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The train will save approximately 2 hours and 40 minutes compared to existing services.

The Lucknow–Saharanpur Vande Bharat Express will complete the journey in just 7 hours and 45 minutes, reducing travel time by nearly an hour. It will benefit passengers across central and western Uttar Pradesh, connecting cities like Lucknow, Bareilly, Moradabad, and Saharanpur, while also improving access to Haridwar via Roorkee.

The Firozpur–Delhi Vande Bharat Express will become the fastest train on its route, covering the distance in 6 hours and 40 minutes. The service will strengthen economic and social ties between Delhi and Punjab’s major cities — including Firozpur, Bathinda, and Patiala — thereby supporting trade, tourism, and employment in the region.

In the south, the Ernakulam–Bengaluru Vande Bharat Express will complete its journey in 8 hours and 40 minutes, cutting travel time by more than 2 hours. The route will link key commercial and IT hubs across Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka, boosting interstate collaboration and economic growth.

‘Festival of Development’: PM Modi’s Address

Following the flag-off ceremony, Prime Minister Modi addressed a large gathering in Varanasi, describing the occasion as a “festival of development.”

“I saw the magnificent Dev Deepawali being celebrated here, and today I congratulate you all for this festival of development,” said the Prime Minister. “The countries that have achieved economic growth have always prioritized strong infrastructure. India too is on the same path — these Vande Bharat trains are a symbol of that progress.”

Highlighting the spiritual significance of the new routes, Modi added, “Countless pilgrimage sites like Prayagraj, Ayodhya, Haridwar, Chitrakoot, and Kurukshetra are centers of our spiritual heritage. By connecting these sacred destinations through the Vande Bharat network, we are not only improving connectivity but also uniting India’s culture, faith, and progress.”

The Prime Minister concluded by emphasizing that the Vande Bharat initiative represents a major step toward making India’s heritage cities vibrant symbols of modern development.