Varanasi-New Delhi Vande Bharat Sleeper Express Launched to Reduce Travel Time

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw officially flagged off the newly introduced Varanasi-New Delhi Vande Bharat Sleeper Express and other rail services in Varanasi on Saturday, October 31, 2026. The launch event was also joined virtually by Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya from Prayagraj.

Speaking at the event, Yogi Adityanath stated that the newly introduced Vande Bharat Sleeper train will reduce travel time between Varanasi and New Delhi from the previous 13-14 hours down to 8-9 hours. Comprising 16 coaches, the sleeper train has a passenger capacity of 823 individuals.

Highlighting the evolution of rail connectivity on the route, the Chief Minister recalled that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had inaugurated the country's first Vande Bharat train on the Delhi-Varanasi path on February 15, 2019, which featured chair-car coaches. The introduction of the sleeper version represents an addition to travel options between the spiritual and national capitals.

Alongside the Vande Bharat service, new MEMU services were launched to cater to local commuters. A MEMU service extending to Rajatalab in Varanasi was introduced with a monthly pass facility priced at Rs 95. Another MEMU service connecting Kashi and Prayagraj was launched with a monthly pass costing Rs 220, aimed at assisting local residents, pilgrims, students, farmers, traders, advocates, and litigants traveling for court work at the Allahabad High Court.

The Chief Minister also outlined broader infrastructural updates across the state's rail network. He noted that unmanned railway level crossings have been replaced by underpasses and railway overbridges to improve safety and travel efficiency. Additionally, a 1,000-kilometre section of the Eastern Dedicated Freight Corridor now passes through Uttar Pradesh, providing separate tracks for freight trains to ensure timely goods delivery and alleviate congestion on passenger lines.

Adityanath further mentioned that Prime Minister Modi has approved a plan for North India's first bullet train service connecting Delhi and Varanasi. The initiatives were described as a festive rollout ahead of Diwali and Chhath to improve passenger amenities and reduce travel duration.

"The introduction of high-speed rail links and dedicated freight corridors marks a critical shift in logistics and commuter efficiency. For the broader business and industrial ecosystem, reliable passenger travel and streamlined freight movement directly reduce operational bottlenecks, lower transit delays, and support regional economic growth." — Dr. Shishir Gupta, Founder & CEO, StartupLanes