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Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagged off four new Vande Bharat Express trains from Varanasi, his constituency in Uttar Pradesh, on Saturday, November 8. The new services will run on the Banaras-Khajuraho, Lucknow-Saharanpur, Firozpur-Delhi, and Ernakulam-Bengaluru routes. This takes the total number of operational Vande Bharat trains in India to over 160, he said. Addressing a public rally after the launch, PM Modi said these trains will enhance connectivity and provide greater comfort to citizens. He called Vande Bharat a train made by Indians, for Indians, and of Indians, one that fills every Indian with pride. The Prime Minister also said trains like Vande Bharat are laying the foundation for a new generation of Indian Railways in the presence of Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. The Banaras-Khajuraho train will connect religious and cultural destinations such as Varanasi, Prayagraj, Chitrakoot, and Khajuraho. It will save about two hours and 40 minutes compared to the current special trains. The Lucknow-Saharanpur train will cover the journey in about seven hours and 45 minutes, saving nearly an hour of travel time. This service is expected to enhance connectivity across central and western Uttar Pradesh. The Firozpur-Delhi train will be the fastest on its route, covering the distance in six hours and 40 minutes. It will improve connectivity between Delhi and major cities in Punjab, such as Firozpur, Bathinda, and Patiala. The Ernakulam-Bengaluru train will reduce travel time by over two hours, down to eight hours and 40 minutes. This service is expected to promote economic activity between Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka.
