New Delhi-Varanasi Vande Bharat Sleeper launched

On Saturday, Indian Railways launched a new Vande Bharat Sleeper service connecting Varanasi and New Delhi, enhancing overnight travel options between the two cities. This service aims to provide a faster and more comfortable journey for pilgrims, tourists, students, business travellers and working professionals. Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed the launch, praising its significance for travelers between Delhi and Kashi.

The new train will save time and elevate the overall travel experience, equipped with modern amenities and advanced safety systems. It runs from Kashi to Prayagraj via Kanpur Central, and then to Delhi, connecting faith with opportunity and tradition with modernity. Modi expressed best wishes for this new rail service.

The Varanasi-New Delhi service follows the introduction of Vande Bharat Sleeper trains on the Howrah-Guwahati corridor in January 2026, extending the overnight train experience to more passengers. The Vande Bharat Sleeper route connects Varanasi with New Delhi via Prayagraj, Kanpur Central, Aligarh and Ghaziabad, benefiting pilgrims, tourists, students and business travellers.

The train will operate overnight, departing Varanasi in the evening and arriving in New Delhi the following morning. The service runs six days a week, with the Varanasi-originating train not running on Fridays and the New Delhi-originating service unavailable on Saturdays.

Compared to the existing Shiv Ganga Express, passengers will save around 55 minutes traveling from Varanasi to New Delhi, and approximately 35 minutes on the return journey from New Delhi to Varanasi. The Vande Bharat Sleeper train features modern amenities and advanced safety systems, including regenerative braking, crash-compliant design, sealed gangways, and noise insulation.

Advanced safety features include the Train Collision Avoidance System (Kavach), fire detection systems and fire barrier doors, and CCTV cameras for onboard monitoring. Passengers can enjoy amenities such as vacuum toilets, luggage areas, charging points, and accessible facilities, making the train a comfortable and safe choice for overnight travel between Varanasi and New Delhi.