Varanasi, November 8 — Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday inaugurated four new Vande Bharat Express services, marking another leap in India’s expanding semi-high-speed rail network that now crosses 160 operational routes.
Among the four new trains, the Ferozpur-Delhi Vande Bharat Express stands out as a lifeline for Punjab’s border district, connecting it to New Delhi in just six hours and forty minutes — the fastest timing yet on the 486-km corridor.
“This initiative is part of our vision to bring every region of India closer through speed, efficiency, and modern infrastructure,” Prime Minister Modi said while flagging off the services from Varanasi.
The Ferozpur Cantt–Delhi train will operate six days a week, except Wednesdays, leaving Ferozpur at 7:55 a.m. and arriving in New Delhi by 2:35 p.m., with halts at Bathinda, Dhuri, Patiala, Ambala Cantt, Kurukshetra, and Panipat. The return journey from Delhi departs at 4:00 p.m., reaching Ferozpur Cantt at 10:35 p.m.
Built at Chennai’s Integral Coach Factory, the eight-coach train includes seven AC chair cars and one executive class coach. It features automatic doors, onboard Wi-Fi, GPS-based information displays, and bio-toilets. Designed for speeds of up to 160 kmph, the new service is expected to strengthen trade from Punjab’s agricultural belt and support border logistics near Pakistan.
Officials said the service addresses a long-pending demand from farmers and industrialists in Punjab for a faster, direct link to the capital. It trims over two hours from the existing journey, easing congestion on routes served by trains like the Shatabdi Express.
“The connectivity will open new doors for trade and tourism,” a senior railway official said. “It will particularly benefit textile hubs like Patiala and dairy producers in Bathinda, giving them quicker access to Delhi’s markets.”
The other three new routes launched include Banaras–Khajuraho, Lucknow–Saharanpur, and Ernakulam–Bengaluru.
The Banaras–Khajuraho Vande Bharat will connect Varanasi’s spiritual circuit with Madhya Pradesh’s UNESCO-listed temple town in 7 hours 40 minutes. Operating six days a week (except Thursdays), it departs Banaras at 5:25 a.m. and reaches Khajuraho by 1:10 p.m., halting at Vindhyachal, Prayagraj Chheoki, Chitrakoot Dham, Banda, and Mahoba. The return service leaves Khajuraho at 3:20 p.m. and arrives in Banaras at 11:00 p.m., cutting travel time by nearly three hours.
The Lucknow–Saharanpur route spans 518 km and completes the journey in 7 hours 45 minutes. Departing Lucknow Junction at 5:00 a.m. (except Sundays), it stops at Sitapur, Shahjahanpur, Bareilly, Moradabad, Najibabad, and Roorkee, arriving in Saharanpur by 12:45 p.m. The return train leaves Saharanpur at 3:00 p.m. and reaches Lucknow by 11:00 p.m.
In the south, the 608-km Ernakulam–Bengaluru Vande Bharat links Kerala’s commercial hub with Karnataka’s IT capital in 8 hours 40 minutes, running six days a week (except Wednesdays). It halts at nine stations, including Coimbatore, Salem, and Thrissur. The journey saves over two hours, benefiting commuters, tech professionals, and traders in spices, garments, and software industries.
With these additions, the Indian Railways continues to push toward its goal of high-speed regional integration, offering passengers faster, cleaner, and more comfortable intercity travel.
