In a significant boost to India’s rail connectivity, the Railway Ministry has launched semi-high-speed Vande Bharat Express trains on 15 new routes within the first 100 days of the Modi government. This ambitious initiative aims to enhance passenger travel across the country, reducing journey times while providing a modern and comfortable travel experience.
With these new routes, the Vande Bharat Express fleet continues to expand, reflecting the government’s commitment to modernising India’s railway infrastructure and promoting efficient transportation solutions. Let’s take a look at the list of the newly launched Vande Bharat Express trains –
New Delhi-Varanasi Vande Bharat Express
Indian Railways’ first 20-coach Vande Bharat Express will commence commercial service from Varanasi Junction on September 18. This train has the capacity to accommodate up to 1,440 passengers per journey. The New Delhi-Varanasi service includes train numbers 22436/22435 and 22415/22416, covering a distance of 771 kilometers in approximately 8 hours, making them the fastest trains on this route.
Nagpur-Secunderabad Vande Bharat Express
India’s second 20-coach Vande Bharat Express runs between Nagpur and Secunderabad Junction. Officially designated as train 20101/20102, it is the 65th Vande Bharat Express in the country. Operating six days a week, this train covers 575 kilometers (357 miles) in just 7 hours and 15 minutes, averaging a speed of 79 km/h. The service does not run on Tuesdays.
Chennai Egmore-Nagercoil Vande Bharat Express
The Chennai Egmore-Nagercoil Vande Bharat Express, the first of its kind, connects the picturesque town of Nagercoil with Chennai, covering 726 kilometers across 12 districts in Tamil Nadu. This service significantly reduces travel time, offering a modern and efficient travel experience.
Madurai-Bengaluru Vande Bharat Express
The Madurai-Bengaluru Vande Bharat Express, the first direct train between these cities via the Tiruchchirappalli route, will serve businesspeople, students, and professionals, linking the cultural and economic centers of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.
Meerut City-Lucknow Vande Bharat Express
The Meerut City-Lucknow Vande Bharat Express aims to boost religious tourism by providing quicker access to pilgrimage sites in both areas. It will also enhance connectivity for Meerut’s industries, including sports goods, musical instruments, sugar, and electronics, by linking them more effectively with Uttar Pradesh’s capital.
Tatanagar-Patna Vande Bharat Express
This train will operate six days a week, completing its journey in about seven hours. It will depart from Tatanagar at 6 a.m. and arrive in Patna at 3 pm, with the return service leaving Patna at 3 pm and reaching Tatanagar at 11 pm.
Gaya-Howrah Vande Bharat Express
The Howrah-Gaya Vande Bharat Express will operate six days a week, covering 458 kilometers (285 miles) in just 5 hours and 40 minutes, with an average speed of 81 km/h. Regular service will commence on September 18, running daily except Thursdays.
Rourkela-Howrah Vande Bharat Express
This train will feature only three stops between the starting and ending stations, passing through Chakradharpur, Tatanagar, and Kharagpur. The inaugural special will depart from Rourkela at 11 a.m. and arrive in Howrah at 6:15 pm.
Agra-Varanasi Vande Bharat Express
The Agra Cantt-Banaras Vande Bharat Express provides the shortest route between the two cities, spanning 573 kilometers—3 kilometers less than alternative routes. The journey takes a total of 7 hours, including 4 scheduled stops, with an average speed of 82 km/h. This service will operate six days a week, excluding Fridays.
Pune-Hubballi Vande Bharat Express
This semi-high-speed train will cover 557 kilometers in 8 hours and 30 minutes, averaging a speed of 66 km/h. It will make five stops along the way and is operated by South Western Railway (SWR). The Hubballi-Pune Vande Bharat Express will run every Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday, starting September 18, departing Hubballi at 5:00 AM and arriving in Pune by 1:30 PM the same day.
Kolhapur-Pune Vande Bharat Express
This semi-high-speed train will travel 326 kilometers in just 5 hours and 15 minutes. Set to begin service on September 18, the Kolhapur-Pune Vande Bharat Express will operate three days a week. The train will stop at Miraj, Sangli, Kirloskarwadi, Karad, and Satara along the route between Pune and Kolhapur.
Durg-Visakhapatnam Vande Bharat Express
This semi-high-speed air-conditioned train will connect Durg in Chhattisgarh with Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh in just eight hours, significantly reducing the current journey time of 11 hours. The new Vande Bharat Express will run six days a week, excluding Thursdays, enhancing connectivity between Durg and Visakhapatnam, both important hubs for tourism and business.
Bhagalpur-Howrah Vande Bharat Express
The Bhagalpur-Howrah Vande Bharat Express will connect three states—Bihar, Jharkhand, and West Bengal—covering a distance of approximately 439.57 kilometers. The train will stop at key stations along the route, including Barahat Junction, Mandar Hill, Hansdiha, Nonihat Bhaturia, Dumka, Rampurhat Junction, and Howrah Junction. This service will operate six days a week, with trains running every day except Saturdays.
Deoghar-Varanasi Vande Bharat Express
The Deoghar-Varanasi Vande Bharat Express operates between Deoghar (DGHR) and Varanasi Junction (BSB). Train number 22499 departs from Deoghar at 15:15 and arrives at Varanasi station at 22:30 on the same day. This service covers a total distance of 454 kilometers, averaging a speed of 62.62 km/h. The train also offers return services with train number 22500, which leaves BSB at 06:20 and reaches Deoghar at 13:40. The Varanasi-Deoghar Vande Bharat Express will operate six days a week, with no service on Tuesdays.
Tatanagar-Brahmapur Vande Bharat Express
The Tatanagar-Brahmapur Vande Bharat Express operates between Tatanagar Junction (TATA) and Brahmapur (BAM). Train number 20891 departs from Tatanagar Junction at 14:50 and arrives at Brahmapur station at 23:55 on the same day. This train will also operate six days a week, excluding Tuesdays.