Indian Railways is all set to expand the Vande Bharat network once again. Four new Vande Bharat Express trains are scheduled to launch on November 8, connecting major cities across Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Karnataka, Kerala, and Madhya Pradesh.
With these new additions, Varanasi, Lucknow, Saharanpur, Banda–Mahoba, and Khajuraho will now be part of the high-speed Vande Bharat route network, making travel faster and more comfortable for passengers.
Indian Railways Expands Vande Bharat Network
According to the latest announcement by the Railway Board, four new Vande Bharat Express trains will soon begin operations.
Out of these, three trains will run from Uttar Pradesh and Delhi, while one will connect Bengaluru and Ernakulam in South India.
The new routes include:
- Lucknow – Saharanpur Vande Bharat Express
- Firozpur – Delhi Vande Bharat Express
- Varanasi – Khajuraho Vande Bharat Express
- Bengaluru – Ernakulam Vande Bharat Express
With these additions, almost all major cities of Uttar Pradesh will now be linked by Vande Bharat services. Delhi-Howrah and other major corridors will also see enhanced connectivity.
1. Lucknow – Saharanpur Vande Bharat Express
Train Number: 26504/26503
- Departure (Lucknow): 5:00 AM
- Arrival (Saharanpur): 12:45 PM
- Stops: Sitapur, Shahjahanpur, Bareilly, Moradabad, Najibabad, Roorkee
- Return: Departs at 3:00 PM, arrives in Lucknow at 11:00 PM
- Operational Days: All days except Monday
This route will strengthen connectivity between eastern and western Uttar Pradesh, cutting travel time significantly.
2. Firozpur Cantt – Delhi Vande Bharat Express
Train Number: 26462/26461
- Departure (Firozpur Cantt): 7:55 AM
- Arrival (Delhi): 2:35 PM
- Stops: Faridkot, Bathinda, Dhuri, Patiala, Ambala Cantt, Kurukshetra, Panipat
- Return: Departs Delhi at 4:00 PM, reaches Firozpur Cantt at 10:35 PM
- Operational Days: Except Wednesday
This train will provide a much faster alternative for travelers between Punjab and Delhi.
3. Varanasi – Khajuraho Vande Bharat Express
Train Number: 26422/26421
- Departure (Varanasi): 5:25 AM
- Arrival (Khajuraho): 1:10 PM
- Stops: Vindhyachal, Prayagraj, Chheoki, Chitrakoot Dham, Banda, Mahoba
- Return: Departs Khajuraho at 3:20 PM, arrives in Varanasi at 11:00 PM
- Operational Days: Except Thursday
This new route will connect two of India’s most historic and spiritual destinations, making pilgrimages and tourism more convenient.
4. Bengaluru – Ernakulam Vande Bharat Express
Train Number: 26651/26652
- Departure (Bengaluru): 5:10 AM
- Arrival (Ernakulam): 1:50 PM
- Stops: Krishnarajapuram, Salem, Erode, Tiruppur, Coimbatore, Palakkad, Thrissur
- Return: Departs Ernakulam at 2:20 PM, reaches Bengaluru at 11:00 PM
- Operational Days: Six days a week, except Wednesday
This train will strengthen southern connectivity, providing faster travel between Karnataka and Kerala.
Vande Bharat Fleet Now Reaches 82 Trains
Currently, 78 Vande Bharat Express rakes operate across India. With these four new launches, the total count will rise to 82.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to flag off all four new trains from Varanasi on November 8, marking another milestone in India’s modern rail journey.
Conclusion
The expansion of the Vande Bharat network highlights Indian Railways’ push toward faster, safer, and more comfortable train travel. From Delhi to Saharanpur and Bengaluru to Ernakulam, these new trains will offer passengers reduced travel times, world-class amenities, and greater connectivity across states.
