Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagged off 4 new Vande Bharat Express trains during his parliamentary constituency visit to Varanasi, which connects routes from different cities, a major push to modernize the rail network in the country.
These semi-high-speed trains will be a milestone and become a symbol of the new generation of Indian Railways.
Expanding the Vande Bharat Network
The newly introduced trains will run on main routes, ensuring faster, safer, and quicker travel between several states. The four routes are
Varanasi–Khajuraho
Lucknow–Saharanpur
Firozpur–Delhi
Ernakulam–Bengaluru
Ceremony Held at Varanasi Railway Station
The flagging-off ceremony of the main train was performed at Vanaras Railway Station, where physically the green flag was shown to the Varanasi–Khajuraho Vande Bharat Express.
#WATCH | Varanasi, UP | PM Narendra Modi flags off four new Vande Bharat Express trains from Banaras Railway Station
The new Vande Bharat Express trains will operate on the Banaras–Khajuraho, Lucknow–Saharanpur, Firozpur–Delhi, and Ernakulam–Bengaluru routes
(Source: DD) pic.twitter.com/2GfI45aVGt
— ANI (@ANI) November 8, 2025
The remaining three trains were flagged off virtually by the Prime Minister from the same venue. This is a strategic launch, underlining the resolve of the government toward providing better connectivity, especially between major urban centers and cultural hubs.
How Vande Bharat Express Is Connecting India’s Culture
Among the new services, the Banaras–Khajuraho Vande Bharat is especially noteworthy. It connects the ancient religious city of Varanasi directly with other prominent cultural and spiritual destinations. This route will provide quick and comfortable travel for pilgrims and tourists visiting sites like Prayagraj and Chitrakoot.
#WATCH | Varanasi, UP | PM Modi interacts with children onboard the New Banaras–Khajuraho Vande Bharat Express, flagged off today
PM Narendra Modi flagged off four new Vande Bharat Express trains from Banaras Railway Station. The new Vande Bharat Express trains will operate on… pic.twitter.com/HHJeJ03DnY
— ANI (@ANI) November 8, 2025
The launch of the Lucknow–Saharanpur route will greatly facilitate travel in Uttar Pradesh because it will better connect the state capital with the western part of the state.
In the same way, the Firozpur–Delhi train will link Punjab with the National Capital Region and give a faster option to business and leisure travelers.
In the South, the Ernakulam-Bengaluru Vande Bharat will help the high-demand route that connects Kerala’s big commercial hub with the technology capital of India, saving what is usually a long and exhausting journey.
160 Vande Bharat: Boost to Rail Connectivity
A Growing Fleet of ‘New India’ Trains With the addition of these four services, the country now has a running tally of 160 operational Vande Bharat Express trains.
This number represents how fast the government is working to upgrade the passenger rail network of the country.
Made in India under the ‘Make in India’ initiative, these modern Vande Bharat trains boast Wi-Fi, GPS-based passenger information systems, automatic doors, and rotating seats, among other facilities that raise the bar for train travel in the country.
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