Four New Vande Bharat Trains Flagged Off by PM Modi from Varanasi, Linking North to South

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated four new Vande Bharat Express trains on Saturday, connecting key cities across India.

The new trains will operate on the Banaras-Khajuraho, Lucknow-Saharanpur, Firozpur-Delhi and Ernakulam-Bengaluru routes, further strengthening the country's semi-high-speed rail infrastructure.

"Connectivity Drives Development," Says PM Modi

Addressing a large gathering in Varanasi, the Prime Minister highlighted the importance of infrastructure in driving national growth. "Infrastructure has played an important role in the development of most nations... The development of a city begins on its own as soon as it gets better connectivity... Infrastructure is not limited to huge bridges and highways," he said.

He also emphasized India's cultural and spiritual heritage, noting that pilgrimages play a crucial role in uniting the nation. "These trains not only connect heritage cities but also accelerate development. In the last 11 years, the developmental works in Uttar Pradesh have strengthened the economy. Last year, 11 crore devotees visited Baba Vishwanath, and over 6 crore devotees had darshan of Ram Lalla - their visits have contributed thousands of crores to the state's economy," PM Modi added.

Banaras-Khajuraho Vande Bharat: Linking Heritage and Culture

The new Banaras-Khajuraho Vande Bharat Express will provide direct and faster connectivity between two of India's cultural and religious centers. It will cover the distance in about 2 hours and 40 minutes, making it one of the quickest links between these destinations.

The route connects major religious and cultural hubs such as Varanasi, Prayagraj, Chitrakoot and Khajuraho, improving accessibility to the UNESCO World Heritage Site and boosting pilgrimage tourism. Officials said the service is expected to significantly support local economies through tourism and hospitality growth.

Lucknow-Saharanpur Vande Bharat: Smoother Intercity Travel

The Lucknow-Saharanpur Vande Bharat Express will cut travel time to roughly 7 hours and 45 minutes, nearly an hour faster than existing trains. It will benefit passengers from Lucknow, Sitapur, Shahjahanpur, Bareilly, Moradabad, Bijnor and Saharanpur, while also providing improved connectivity to Haridwar via Roorkee.

Officials said this route aims to make travel across central and western Uttar Pradesh faster and more comfortable, improving daily and business commuting.

Firozpur-Delhi Vande Bharat: Fastest Train Between Punjab and the Capital

The new Firozpur-Delhi Vande Bharat will become the fastest rail option between the two regions, completing the journey in just 6 hours and 40 minutes. The service will enhance connectivity between Delhi and major cities in Punjab including Firozpur, Bathinda and Patiala.

Authorities said it will play a key role in supporting trade, tourism and employment in the border belt, while helping Punjab's industries integrate better with national markets.

Expanding India's Modern Rail Vision

With the addition of these four new routes, the Vande Bharat network continues to grow rapidly, symbolizing India's push toward faster, more efficient and passenger-friendly travel. The initiative aligns with the government's vision to enhance regional connectivity and modernize the nation's railway infrastructure.