Lucknow, Oct 31 (HS): Indian

Railways plans to broaden its network of contemporary overnight

train services by launching new Vande Bharat Sleeper Express

trains linking Varanasi to New Delhi. These services will enhance inter-city connectivity while providing

travelers with a contemporary,

comfortable, and efficient choice for

long-distance overnight journeys.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and Union

Minister for Railways Ashwini Vaishnaw will launch new Vande Bharat Sleeper Express services between New Delhi

and Varanasi from Varanasi today. With

the launch of Vande Bharat Sleeper

services on the Howrah-Guwahati route and the related return trip in

January 2026, these new services

will bring the advantages

of this modern train to more areas. Through improved

onboard facilities, upgraded

safety measures, and well-designed

sleeper accommodations, Indian Railways aims

to enhance the

comfort, reliability, and passenger focus of

long-distance overnight travel.

Varanasi-New Delhi: Improving Transportation Links Between a Key Pilgrimage Hub and

the National Capital - The Vande Bharat Sleeper service linking Varanasi and New Delhi will enhance connectivity between one of India's key spiritual and cultural hubs and the

capital city. Varanasi draws

pilgrims, local and foreign

tourists, scholars, and various

other visitors year-round. Enhanced

overnight connections with New Delhi

will offer increased

convenience for travelers journeying for religious, educational, professional, administrative,

and tourism-related reasons.

The service will link Varanasi, Prayagraj, Kanpur Central, Aligarh, and Ghaziabad,

prior to arriving

in New Delhi. These stations cater

to key urban areas and offer links to adjacent

regions, assisting in broadening the advantages

of contemporary rail travel to a larger group of passengers.

The new service is scheduled to leave Varanasi at 20:50 and reach New Delhi at 06:10 the next day. On the return journey,

it will leave New Delhi at 21:40 and arrive in Varanasi at 07:10 the next day.

In comparison to the current Shiv Ganga Express, the Vande Bharat Sleeper Express will cut journey time from Varanasi to New Delhi

by 55 minutes and from New Delhi to Varanasi by 35 minutes, providing travelers with a quicker overnight travel alternative in

either direction.

The service will run six days a week, excluding Fridays for the service starting in Varanasi and

Saturdays for the service starting in New Delhi. The overnight timetable will enable travelers

to journey in

the evening and arrive at

their location the next morning, assisting them in utilizing

their time more efficiently. The

service is anticipated to be especially

advantageous for pilgrims, tourists,

students, working professionals, and families who often journey between

eastern Uttar Pradesh and the national capital region.

Hindusthan Samachar / Abhishek Awasthi