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Uttar Pradesh launches first Vande Bharat sleeper service on Varanasi-Delhi route

The new overnight train service will significantly slash travel time between the two cities, with journey durations reduced by up to 55 minutes. The service marks an expansion of India's premium Vande Bharat fleet into sleeper train operations.

LSN India · 31 October 2026

Uttar Pradesh launches first Vande Bharat sleeper service on Varanasi-Delhi route

Uttar Pradesh has inaugurated its first Vande Bharat sleeper train operating between Varanasi and New Delhi, marking a milestone in the state's rail connectivity. The new service introduces modern overnight travel capabilities on a key corridor linking the religious city with the national capital.

The train will reduce travel time from Varanasi to New Delhi by 55 minutes and from New Delhi to Varanasi by 35 minutes, delivering significant time savings for passengers on this busy route. The service integrates advanced features characteristic of the Vande Bharat fleet, which has become synonymous with faster, more comfortable rail travel across India.

The route will serve multiple stations along the corridor, ensuring connectivity for passengers across the region. The introduction of sleeper variants of the Vande Bharat train represents an evolution in Indian Railways' approach to offering premium overnight services with enhanced comfort standards.

The flagging off of this service underscores ongoing efforts to modernise rail infrastructure in Uttar Pradesh and improve connectivity between major urban centres. The Varanasi-Delhi corridor is among the more frequently travelled routes in northern India, and the new service is expected to cater to significant passenger demand.