Varanasi: Hours before India’s second Vande Bharat Sleeper train between Banaras and New Delhi was flagged off from Banaras railway station on Saturday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi described the service as a link between faith and opportunity, and tradition and modernity.In a post on X, Modi called the train’s launch a historic day for rail passengers travelling between Delhi and Kashi. “Whether it is a darshan of Baba Vishwanath or a journey to the Sangam, this train will connect faith with opportunity and tradition with modernity,” he said.Modi said the train would not only save travellers’ time but also enhance their travel experience. Equipped with modern amenities and a state-of-the-art safety system, it is the country’s second Vande Bharat Sleeper train, he noted.The Vande Bharat Sleeper train running from Kashi to Delhi via Prayagraj and Kanpur Central is expected to make travel convenient for millions of devotees, tourists, youth and business travellers.“Heartfelt best wishes to everyone for this new rail service!” Modi said.At 5.20 pm, chief minister Yogi Adityanath and railway minister Ashwini Vaishnaw flagged off the Varanasi-New Delhi Vande Bharat Sleeper train from Banaras station. They also flagged off 10 Mainline Electric Multiple Unit (MEMU) services between Varanasi City and Rajatalab, and Banaras and Prayagraj Rambag. The initiative aims to ease overnight long-distance travel and improve local and inter-district connectivity. Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya and minister Nand Gopal Gupta Nandi joined virtually from Prayagraj Rambag.The fully air-conditioned 16-coach Varanasi-New Delhi Vande Bharat Sleeper train can accommodate 823 passengers. It has one First AC coach with 24 berths, four Second AC coaches with 188 berths, and 11 Third AC coaches with 611 berths.The train can run at 160 kmph and has been designed for a maximum speed of 180 kmph. It is equipped with advanced suspension technology to reduce jerks and noise, ensuring a smoother journey at higher speeds.The train will operate six days a week except Fridays. Its maintenance will be carried out in Varanasi, while water-filling facilities will be available at Prayagraj and Kanpur.On the inaugural day, the special train was flagged off from Varanasi Junction at 4.30 pm and is scheduled to reach New Delhi at 1.30 am. During regular operations, train number 27421 will run from Varanasi to New Delhi, departing at 8.50 pm and reaching New Delhi at 6.10 am the next day. It will not operate on Fridays.Train number 27422 will run from New Delhi to Varanasi. It will depart New Delhi at 9.40 pm and arrive in Varanasi at 7.10 am the following day. It will not run on Saturdays due to maintenance requirements.With only a marginal difference in fare compared to other trains operating between Varanasi and Delhi, including Kashi Vishwanath Express, Shiv Ganga Express, Banaras-New Delhi Superfast Express and Mahamana Express, the train will stop at Varanasi, Prayagraj, Kanpur Central, Aligarh, Ghaziabad and New Delhi.The new sleeper train comes equipped with several modern facilities, including CCTV cameras, automatic sensor-based doors, fire safety systems, security alarms, charging points, reading lights, infotainment screens, automatic inter-coach doors and an emergency talk-back system for direct communication with crew members.All coaches have both Western and Indian-style bio-toilets. The First AC coach also includes a shower facility.The train will offer improved hygiene, passenger-friendly interiors, facilities for differently abled passengers, the indigenous Kavach safety system, modern emergency communication systems and onboard catering with regional food options.
