Indian Railways on Saturday expanded its Vande Bharat Sleeper network with a new service connecting Varanasi and New Delhi, offering passengers a faster and more comfortable overnight travel option. The service will improve rail connectivity between the two destinations, benefiting pilgrims, tourists, students, business travellers and working professionals. Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed the launch, describing it as a significant development for people travelling between Delhi and Kashi. In a post on X, he said the new train would save time and improve the overall travel experience, adding that it comes equipped with modern amenities and advanced safety systems.
"The Vande Bharat Sleeper train running from Kashi to Prayagraj, via Kanpur Central, to Delhi will make travel convenient for millions of devotees, tourists, youth, and businesspeople. Whether it's a darshan of Baba Vishwanath or a journey to the Sangam, this train will connect faith with opportunity and tradition with modernity. Heartfelt best wishes to everyone for this new rail service!" Modi wrote on X.
The Varanasi-New Delhi service follows the introduction of Vande Bharat Sleeper trains on the Howrah-Guwahati corridor and its return route in January 2026. The new service will extend the next-generation overnight train experience to more passengers.
The new Vande Bharat Sleeper service will connect Varanasi with New Delhi, passing through important urban centres in Uttar Pradesh and the National Capital Region.
The train will operate via Prayagraj, Kanpur Central, Aligarh and Ghaziabad before reaching New Delhi. These stations also provide connectivity to several surrounding districts, making the service useful for passengers beyond the two terminal cities.
The route is expected to benefit pilgrims travelling to the Kashi Vishwanath Temple and the Sangam in Prayagraj, apart from tourists, students and business travellers.
The new service will operate overnight, allowing passengers to board in the evening and reach their destination the following morning.
The Vande Bharat Sleeper service will operate six days a week. The Varanasi-originating train will not run on Fridays, while the New Delhi-originating service will remain unavailable on Saturdays.
The new Vande Bharat Sleeper service is expected to reduce overnight travel time between Varanasi and New Delhi compared with the existing Shiv Ganga Express.
According to the information shared for the service, passengers travelling from Varanasi to New Delhi will save around 55 minutes. In the return direction, the journey from New Delhi to Varanasi will be shorter by approximately 35 minutes.
The overnight schedule is designed to make long-distance journeys more convenient, allowing passengers to reach their destination in the morning without losing much of their daytime hours to travel.
Designed specifically for long-distance overnight journeys, the Vande Bharat Sleeper combines modern engineering with passenger-focused facilities. Its design prioritises sleeping comfort, cleanliness, accessibility and safety.
The train features regenerative braking, an under-slung propulsion system and an aerodynamic design intended to support smoother acceleration and a more comfortable ride.
Other features include:
Austenitic stainless-steel car body and crash-compliant design.
Sealed flexible gangways and automatic sliding plug doors.
Noise insulation and LED lighting.
Sensor-based intercommunication doors.
Integrated passenger information and communication systems.
The train is equipped with several advanced safety systems to improve passenger protection and emergency response.
These include:
Kavach (Train Collision Avoidance System or TCAS).
Fire Detection System and fire barrier doors.
EN45545 HL3-grade fire safety compliance.
CCTV cameras for onboard monitoring.
Disaster management lights.
Passenger emergency alarm systems.
These systems are designed to strengthen fire safety, onboard surveillance and emergency management.
Apart from its safety and engineering features, the train offers several amenities aimed at improving the overnight travel experience.
Passengers will have access to odour-free vacuum toilets, spacious luggage areas and integrated charging facilities. The train also features three-pin charging sockets, Type-A and Type-C USB ports and passenger information systems.
For passengers with disabilities, special berths and accessible toilet facilities have been provided.
Other onboard amenities include:
Hot-water shower facilities in First AC.
Wi-Fi routers with access point networks.
Improved noise insulation for a quieter journey.
Air-conditioned driver cabins and crew toilets.
Integrated communication and passenger information systems.
With its overnight schedule, improved journey time and modern onboard facilities, the Varanasi-New Delhi Vande Bharat Sleeper service is expected to strengthen connectivity between the national capital and one of India's most important spiritual and cultural destinations.
