Outlook Business Desk
Prime Minister Narendra Modi today inaugurated four Vande Bharat trains from Varanasi, emphasising improved comfort and connectivity. He also interacted with schoolchildren aboard the Banaras–Khajuraho Express, marking another milestone in India’s rail modernisation.
While posting on X (formely twitter) on Saturday, PM Modi said the newly flagged-off Vande Bharat trains will enhance both comfort and connectivity.
Before the launch, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw inspected Varanasi Junction’s arrangements. He stated that Amrit Bharat, Namo Bharat, and Vande Bharat trains are designed to ensure passenger convenience, with renovation work progressing at over 1,300 stations nationwide.
The four new Vande Bharat Express trains will run on Banaras–Khajuraho, Lucknow–Saharanpur, Firozpur–Delhi, and Ernakulam–Bengaluru routes, cutting travel times, boosting connectivity, and promoting tourism and economic growth across key regions of India.
The Banaras–Khajuraho Vande Bharat Express will cut travel by around 2 hours 40 minutes, connecting Varanasi, Prayagraj, Chitrakoot, and Khajuraho, boosting religious and cultural tourism with a faster, modern journey to the UNESCO-listed Khajuraho site.
The Lucknow–Saharanpur Vande Bharat Express completes its journey in about 7 hours 45 minutes, saving nearly an hour. It connects key cities, improves access to Haridwar via Roorkee, and supports regional development across Uttar Pradesh.
The Firozpur–Delhi Vande Bharat Express will be the fastest on this route, completing the journey in 6 hours and 40 minutes. It strengthens links between Punjab and Delhi, encouraging trade, tourism, and employment in the state’s border regions.
The Ernakulam–Bengaluru Vande Bharat Express will cut over two hours of travel time, connecting key commercial and technology hubs. It offers professionals, students, and tourists a quicker, comfortable option while promoting regional growth across Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka.