Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh — Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during his visit to Varanasi, inaugurated four new Vande Bharat Express trains, marking a significant addition to India’s rapidly expanding semi-high-speed rail network. With these latest launches, the total number of Vande Bharat trains operating across the nation has now surpassed 160.

The newly inaugurated routes include Banaras–Khajuraho, Lucknow–Saharanpur, Firozpur–Delhi, and Ernakulam–Bengaluru. Highlighting the modernization of Indian Railways, the Prime Minister described the Vande Bharat and Namo Bharat trains as symbols of India’s new era of transportation efficiency and innovation.

The Banaras–Khajuraho Vande Bharat Express will connect major spiritual destinations such as Varanasi, Prayagraj, and Chitrakoot, reducing travel time by nearly 2 hours and 30 minutes. The Lucknow–Saharanpur train will pass through Sitapur, Shahjahanpur, Bareilly, Moradabad, and Bijnor, completing the journey in about 7 hours and 45 minutes—saving close to an hour of travel.

The Firozpur–Delhi Vande Bharat Express will link the two cities in just 6 hours and 40 minutes, while the Ernakulam–Bengaluru train will connect major hubs in Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka within 8 hours and 40 minutes. These services are expected to significantly reduce travel time, enhance connectivity, and promote tourism and trade between key cities.