UP Gets First Vande Bharat Sleeper: Yogi Adityanath, Ashwini Vaishnaw Flag Off Varanasi-Delhi Train

October 31, 2026

Varanasi: Uttar Pradesh has got its first Vande Bharat Sleeper Express, with Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw flagging off the new Varanasi-New Delhi service on Saturday.

The overnight train is expected to improve rail connectivity between eastern Uttar Pradesh and the national capital. It will offer passengers a way to travel overnight and reach Delhi early the next morning. The service is likely to benefit pilgrims, students, working professionals and families who regularly travel between the two regions.

Designed for long-distance journeys, the Vande Bharat Sleeper comes with upgraded berths, modern passenger facilities and several safety features.

Vande Bharat Sleeper Route and Stoppages

The train will connect Varanasi and New Delhi, with stoppages at Prayagraj, Kanpur Central, Aligarh and Ghaziabad. It will operate six days a week, giving passengers from these cities another overnight travel option.

Varanasi-Delhi Vande Bharat Sleeper Timings

According to the timetable released by the Railways, the train will depart from Varanasi at 8:50 pm and reach New Delhi at 6:10 am the following day.

On the return journey, it will leave New Delhi at 9:40 pm and arrive in Varanasi at 7:10 am the next morning.

The Varanasi-originating service will not run on Fridays, while the New Delhi-originating train will remain suspended on Saturdays.

The Railway Ministry said the new service will also save time compared to the existing Shiv Ganga Express. The journey from Varanasi to Delhi will be shorter by 55 minutes, while the return journey will take 35 minutes less.

Modern Berths and Charging Facilities

The Vande Bharat Sleeper has been designed to make overnight travel more comfortable. Its coaches feature ergonomically designed berths, improved suspension and noise-reduction arrangements for a smoother journey.

Passengers will also get USB Type-A and Type-C charging ports, along with three-pin electrical sockets to charge mobile phones, laptops and other devices.

CCTV Cameras and Advanced Safety Systems

The train has CCTV cameras for onboard surveillance, along with smoke and fire detection systems to identify emergencies. It also has emergency alarm facilities and the Train Collision Avoidance System (TCAS), which is designed to help prevent train collisions.

Special arrangements have been made for passengers with disabilities. These include dedicated berths and specially designed toilet facilities.

First AC Passengers to Get Hot-Water Showers

One of the notable features of the new train is the shower facility in its First AC coach. Passengers travelling in this section will be able to use showers with hot-water facilities.

With upgraded sleeping arrangements, modern safety systems and improved passenger amenities, the Vande Bharat Sleeper aims to make overnight travel between Varanasi and New Delhi more convenient.