PM Modi Arrives in Varanasi, to Flag Off Four New Vande Bharat Trains Including Banaras–Khajuraho Route

November 7, 2025

Varanasi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Varanasi on Friday evening to a grand reception from enthusiastic crowds ahead of the flagging off of four new Vande Bharat Express trains on Saturday morning, officials said.

Sharing his gratitude on social media, the Prime Minister wrote on X, “After attending the programmes in Bihar today, I had the opportunity to visit Kashi, where the grand welcome by my family members left me overwhelmed.”

He added, “Tomorrow, on November 8, from the city of Baba Vishwanath, around 8.15 a.m., I will have the privilege of flagging off four new Vande Bharat Express trains along with the Banaras–Khajuraho route. These trains will make travel more convenient and secure for people in many parts of the country, while also boosting tourism and trade.”

New Routes to Strengthen Connectivity and Tourism

The Banaras–Khajuraho Vande Bharat Express will be the first direct link between the two cities, cutting travel time by nearly 2 hours and 40 minutes compared to existing special trains.

The route connects major religious and cultural hubs — Varanasi, Prayagraj, Chitrakoot, and Khajuraho, the UNESCO World Heritage Site — offering pilgrims and tourists a faster, more comfortable travel experience.

According to officials, this service will promote religious and cultural tourism while supporting regional trade and mobility.

Other New Vande Bharat Routes

1. Lucknow–Saharanpur Vande Bharat Express:

   • Travel time: 7 hours 45 minutes, saving nearly 1 hour.

   • Key stops: Lucknow, Sitapur, Shahjahanpur, Bareilly, Moradabad, Bijnor, Saharanpur.

   • Will also improve access to Haridwar via Roorkee.

2. Firozpur–Delhi Vande Bharat Express:

   • Journey duration: 6 hours 40 minutes, making it the fastest train on this route.

   • Will strengthen links between Delhi, Firozpur, Bathinda, and Patiala, boosting Punjab’s connectivity with the national capital.

3. Ernakulam–Bengaluru Vande Bharat Express:

   • Expected to significantly reduce travel time between Kerala and Karnataka’s tech hub, supporting both business and tourism.

Officials described the launches as another milestone in the Prime Minister’s vision of creating world-class, high-speed, and comfortable railway services to enhance mobility, tourism, and regional development across India.