PM Modi flags off 4 new Vande Bharat trains connecting Varanasi, Lucknow, Firozpur and Ernakulam
Varanasi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday inaugurated four new Vande Bharat Express trains from Varanasi, linking key regions across the country.
The new services will operate on the Banaras-Khajuraho, Lucknow-Saharanpur, Firozpur-Delhi, and Ernakulam-Bengaluru routes. The high-speed trains are expected to significantly reduce travel times, improve regional connectivity, promote tourism, and stimulate economic activity.
The Banaras-Khajuraho Vande Bharat Express will cut travel time by around 2 hours 40 minutes compared with existing special trains. Connecting major religious and cultural destinations including Varanasi, Prayagraj, Chitrakoot, and Khajuraho, the service aims to strengthen cultural tourism and provide pilgrims with a modern, comfortable journey to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Khajuraho.
On the Lucknow-Saharanpur route, the Vande Bharat will complete the journey in approximately 7 hours 45 minutes, saving nearly an hour. It will benefit passengers from cities including Lucknow, Sitapur, Shahjahanpur, Bareilly, Moradabad, Bijnor, and Saharanpur, while also improving access to Haridwar via Roorkee. The service is expected to boost intercity travel and support regional development in central and western Uttar Pradesh.
The Firozpur-Delhi Vande Bharat Express will be the fastest train on this corridor, completing the journey in just 6 hours 40 minutes. By connecting Delhi with key Punjab cities such as Firozpur, Bathinda, and Patiala, the train is expected to enhance trade, tourism, and employment, benefiting border regions and integrating them further with national markets.
In southern India, the Ernakulam-Bengaluru Vande Bharat will reduce travel time by over two hours, completing the journey in 8 hours 40 minutes. Linking major IT and commercial hubs, the service will provide a faster and more comfortable option for professionals, students, and tourists, while promoting economic activity and tourism across Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka.