- New Vande Bharat Express routes to boost connectivity
- Trains to cut travel time and promote tourism growth
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated four new Vande Bharat Express trains during his visit to Varanasi on Friday. The launch marks another step in expanding India’s high-speed railway infrastructure and aims to improve connectivity, reduce travel time, and boost tourism across major cities. With this addition, the total number of Vande Bharat trains in India has crossed 160.
The newly launched services include the Banaras–Khajuraho, Lucknow–Saharanpur, Firozpur–Delhi, and Ernakulam–Bengaluru Vande Bharat Express routes. Each route has been designed to shorten travel durations and enhance convenience for passengers while connecting key economic and cultural regions of the country.
The Banaras–Khajuraho Vande Bharat Express links Varanasi, Prayagraj, Chitrakoot, and Khajuraho, connecting major spiritual and heritage destinations. This route will save around 2 hours and 40 minutes compared to existing services, strengthening tourism between Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh. Similarly, the Lucknow–Saharanpur Vande Bharat will save about an hour of travel time and improve regional connectivity through Sitapur, Moradabad, and Roorkee while providing easier access to Haridwar.
The Firozpur–Delhi Vande Bharat Express has become the fastest train on this route, completing the journey in only 6 hours and 40 minutes. It will connect Delhi with Punjab’s major towns like Firozpur, Bathinda, and Patiala, giving a push to the socio-economic development of border areas. In South India, the Ernakulam–Bengaluru Vande Bharat Express will enhance connectivity between Kerala and Karnataka. This service reduces travel time by more than 2 hours and benefits professionals, students, and tourists traveling between Kochi and Bengaluru.
Speaking at the launch, Prime Minister Modi said, “Vande Bharat and NaMo Bharat trains have ushered in a new era for Indian Railways and are a key milestone in the government’s commitment to provide world-class travel services.” He emphasized that these projects symbolize India’s progress toward a modern, efficient, and passenger-friendly railway system.
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