Varanasi/ New Delhi (Rajeev Sharma): India’s high-speed rail ambitions received another push on Saturday as Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated four new Vande Bharat Express trains from Varanasi, taking the total count of semi-high-speed services in the country past 160.
Among the new routes, the Firozpur Cantt–New Delhi Vande Bharat Express has emerged as a key addition, expected to significantly strengthen connectivity between Punjab’s border districts and the national capital.
The train will operate six days a week (except Wednesdays), departing from Firozpur at 7:55 a.m. and reaching Delhi at 2:35 p.m., with stops at Bathinda, Dhuri, Patiala, Ambala Cantt, Kurukshetra, and Panipat. The return journey from Delhi begins at 4:00 p.m., arriving in Firozpur by 10:35 p.m.
Constructed at Chennai’s Integral Coach Factory, the eight-coach Vande Bharat features seven AC chair cars and one executive coach. The modern rake includes automatic doors, bio-vacuum toilets, Wi-Fi, reclining seats, and advanced braking systems. With a top speed of 160 kmph, it will cut travel time between Punjab and Delhi by more than two hours, offering faster, more comfortable travel than the Shatabdi Express.
Railway officials said the new train would support Punjab’s agricultural and industrial trade, giving farmers and entrepreneurs in Bathinda, Patiala, and Firozpur quicker access to Delhi’s wholesale and export markets. “This connection will not only benefit passengers but also spur the flow of goods and business,” a senior Northern Railway official said.
The service is also expected to aid border-area logistics, with Firozpur being one of Punjab’s closest districts to the Indo-Pak border.
Expanding the Vande Bharat Network
In addition to the Punjab service, three other routes were flagged off as part of Saturday’s ceremony:
- Banaras–Khajuraho Vande Bharat: Linking Uttar Pradesh’s spiritual capital with Madhya Pradesh’s heritage hub, the 443-km journey takes 7 hours 40 minutes and connects Vindhyachal, Prayagraj Chheoki, Chitrakoot Dham, Banda, and Mahoba. The train saves nearly three hours compared to existing services and is expected to boost religious tourism in the region.
- Lucknow–Saharanpur Vande Bharat: Covering 518 km in 7 hours 45 minutes, this route improves connectivity between central and western Uttar Pradesh, benefiting students, industrial workers, and traders in cities like Bareilly and Roorkee.
- Ernakulam–Bengaluru Vande Bharat: Bridging Kerala’s commercial center with Karnataka’s technology hub, this 608-km route will enhance trade and mobility in southern India, reducing travel time by over two hours compared with existing express trains.
PM Highlights Indigenous Innovation
Speaking at the event, Prime Minister Modi said the new services reflected India’s growing technological capability and commitment to modern, sustainable infrastructure. “Every new Vande Bharat train is a step toward an ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’—self-reliant, efficient, and world-class in every sense,” he said.
All four trains were designed and built under the ‘Make in India’ initiative, featuring energy-efficient systems, improved passenger comfort, and enhanced safety technology.
With these additions, the Vande Bharat fleet now connects nearly every major region in the country—from Punjab’s farmlands to Kerala’s coast—symbolizing India’s transformation toward faster, cleaner, and smarter rail travel.
