New Delhi/Varanasi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to launch four new Vande Bharat Express trains on Friday, November 8, marking another milestone in India’s rail modernization drive. With the new additions, the total number of Vande Bharat services across the country will rise to 164, reinforcing the government’s vision of a faster, more connected India.
The Prime Minister will inaugurate the new trains from Varanasi, his parliamentary constituency, in a grand event that underscores India’s expanding semi-high-speed rail network. The four new routes include:
- Banaras–Khajuraho Vande Bharat Express: Connecting two of India’s most prominent cultural and heritage destinations, cutting travel time by nearly three hours.
- Lucknow–Saharanpur Vande Bharat Express: Offering faster connectivity across western and central Uttar Pradesh with a journey time of just under eight hours.
- Firozpur–Delhi Vande Bharat Express: The quickest service yet between Punjab and the national capital, completing the route in approximately 6 hours 40 minutes.
- Ernakulam–Bengaluru Vande Bharat Express: Linking southern India’s business and technology hubs, reducing travel time by more than two hours.
According to the Prime Minister’s Office, the new trains are designed to enhance regional connectivity, boost tourism, and stimulate economic growth. Built with cutting-edge technology, these trains feature superior comfort, safety, and efficiency, providing passengers with a world-class travel experience.
Security has been tightened and special arrangements made in Varanasi ahead of the Prime Minister’s event, as officials gear up for the much-anticipated flag-off ceremony.
With each new route, the Vande Bharat Express continues to redefine India’s railway landscape — symbolizing the country’s march toward a modern, fast, and self-reliant transportation future.
