Is India witnessing a new era of rail speed? PM Modi has flagged off 4 new Vande Bharat trains from Banaras, which will connect Banaras-Khajuraho, Lucknow-Saharanpur, Firozpur-Delhi and Ernakulam-Bengaluru. Will now the speed of passengers be doubled and the distance halved?
Varanasi. Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagged off four new Vande Bharat trains from Banaras Railway Station on Saturday, 8 November 2025. This launching not only reflects the speed and modernity of India’s rail network, but will also give a new direction to the economic, religious and tourism development of the country. These trains include Banaras-Khajuraho, Lucknow-Saharanpur, Firozpur-Delhi and Ernakulam-Bengaluru Vande Bharat Express.
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Is Vande Bharat becoming a symbol of India’s railway revolution?
On the launch of these new trains, PM Modi said that India is now moving towards the confluence of heritage and progress. “Connecting pilgrimage sites with Vande Bharat Network is not just a convenience, it is a confluence of India’s culture and modernity.” He informed that more than 160 Vande Bharat trains are now running in the country – which provide an unmatched experience of speed, safety and convenience to the passengers.
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On which routes will the new Vande Bharat trains run?
- Banaras-Khajuraho Vande Bharat: This train will connect religious and cultural places like Varanasi, Prayagraj, Chitrakoot and Khajuraho. The journey time will be approximately 2 hours 40 minutes less than now.
- Lucknow-Saharanpur Vande Bharat: The journey by this train will be completed in just 7 hours 45 minutes. This train will also ease access to Roorkee and Haridwar, providing direct convenience to devotees and tourists.
- Firozpur-Delhi Vande Bharat: This train will be the fastest train on this route. It will be possible to reach Delhi in just 6 hours 40 minutes. This will boost connectivity and trade growth between Punjab and the national capital.
- Ernakulam-Bengaluru Vande Bharat: This train will connect two major IT and business hubs of South India. Travel time will reduce by more than 2 hours to 8 hours 40 minutes – a huge relief for students, professionals and commuters.
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Will these trains increase tourism and local economy?
Experts believe that these semi-high-speed trains will play an important role in increasing regional mobility, promoting tourism and strengthening local trade. PM Modi said that last year 11 crore devotees came to Kashi, while after the construction of Ram temple in Ayodhya, more than 6 crore people visited there – which has brought a big benefit to the economy of UP. The inauguration of new Vande Bharat trains is not just a step to increase the number of trains, but is a symbol of the pace of self-reliant India. Now journeys will not only be faster but will also be safe, modern and give an experience of pride.