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From Varanasi to Bengaluru: PM Modi flags off four new Vande Bharat trains
The 4 trains : Uttar Pradesh’s Varanasi to Khajuraho in Madhya Pradesh, Lucknow to Saharanpur in UP, Punjab’s Firozpur to Delhi, Kerala’s Ernakulam to Karnataks’s Bengaluru
Varanasi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday flagged off four new Vande Bharat Express trains — Uttar Pradesh’s Varanasi to Khajuraho in Madhya Pradesh, Lucknow to Saharanpur in UP, Punjab’s Firozpur to Delhi, and Kerala’s Ernakulam to Karnataka’s Bengaluru.
Addressing a gathering in Varanasi, Modi described Vande Bharat trains as a “pride” of Indians. With these four new trains, the total number of operational Vande Bharat services in the country has now exceeded 160, he said.
Railway minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and other senior officials of the Railway Board were also present at the event.
“Trains like Vande Bharat, Namo Bharat, and Amrit Bharat are laying the foundation for the next generation of Indian Railways,” Modi said. By significantly reducing travel time between major destinations, these trains are expected to enhance regional mobility and promote tourism.
The four Vande Bharat Express
The Banaras–Khajuraho Vande Bharat will save about 2 hours and 40 minutes compared to the special trains currently in operation. The train will connect important religious destinations such as Varanasi, Prayagraj, Chitrakoot and the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Khajuraho.
Varanasi-based tourism industry expert and president of the Tourism Welfare Association (TWA), Rahul Mehta, said the Banaras–Khajuraho Vande Bharat Express will lead to a “manifold rise” in domestic and foreign tourists travelling between Varanasi and the Khajuraho circuit, covering Vindhyachal and Chitrakoot.
Mehta said that many tourists also travel from Khajuraho to Varanasi, and the Panna Tiger Reserve near Khajuraho is an important attraction for visitors from Varanasi. He added that the Vande Bharat Express will provide “considerable convenience” to travellers.
In 2024, around 500,000 domestic tourists visited Khajuraho. This figure is estimated to increase to 1.5 to 2 million in 2025. The number of foreign tourists is also expected to rise.
The Lucknow–Saharanpur Vande Bharat will cover the journey in approximately 7 hours and 45 minutes, saving nearly an hour of travel time. It will benefit passengers from Lucknow, Sitapur, Shahjahanpur, Bareilly, Moradabad, Bijnor, Saharanpur and Haridwar.
The Firozpur–Delhi Vande Bharat will be the fastest train on this route, completing the journey in just 6 hours and 40 minutes. It will strengthen connectivity between the national capital and key cities in Punjab, including Firozpur, Bathinda and Patiala.
Reducing travel time to southern India by over two hours and completing the journey in 8 hours and 40 minutes, the Ernakulam–Bengaluru Vande Bharat will connect major IT and commercial hubs, providing professionals, students and tourists with a faster and more comfortable travel option. The route is expected to promote economic activity and tourism between Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.
PM Modi on developmental initiatives in Uttar Pradesh
PM Modi said that over the past 11 years, developmental initiatives in Uttar Pradesh have elevated pilgrimage to a new level. “Last year alone, 11 crore devotees visited Varanasi for darshan of Baba Vishwanath. Since the construction of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, over 6 crore people have visited the temple of Ram Lalla,” he said.
He added that pilgrims have contributed to Uttar Pradesh’s economy, providing sustained earning opportunities to hotels, traders, transport companies, local artists and boat operators across the state. “As a result, hundreds of youth in Varanasi are now launching new ventures—from transport services to Banarasi sari businesses,” Modi said.
PM Modi said that Varanasi is witnessing expansion and qualitative improvement of hospitals, roads, gas pipeline networks and internet connectivity. He added that rapid progress is being made on the ropeway project, and sports infrastructure such as the Ganjari and Sigra stadiums is also in place.
Lauding his government’s efforts to improve health care services in Varanasi, Modi said that 10 to 11 years ago, Banaras Hindu University (BHU) was the only option for serious illnesses, and due to overwhelming patient numbers, many were unable to receive treatment even after waiting overnight. For diseases like cancer, people had to sell land and farms to seek treatment in Mumbai, he added.
He listed the Mahamana Cancer Hospital for cancer treatment, Shankar Netralaya for eye care, the advanced trauma centre and Centenary Hospital at BHU, and the divisional hospital at Pandeypur as a boon for Varanasi, Purvanchal and neighbouring states.
He added that due to Ayushman Bharat and Jan Aushadhi Kendras in these hospitals, lakhs of poor patients are saving crores of rupees.
