Banaras-Khajuraho Vande Bharat to Boost Religious Tourism, Cut Travel Time by 2.5 Hours
VARANASI, India: Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in his parliamentary constituency of Varanasi this evening, where he is scheduled to flag off four new Vande Bharat Express trains on Saturday morning, significantly expanding India’s network of semi-high-speed rail connectivity.
The Prime Minister was received at the airport by Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. The city, also known as Kashi, has prepared for a grand welcome amid palpable excitement over the Prime Minister’s two-day visit.
The flagship train among the launches will be the Banaras-Khajuraho Vande Bharat Express, which is set to establish direct connectivity on this key route and will save passengers approximately 2 hours and 40 minutes compared to current travel times.
The new express is designed to connect major religious and cultural places, linking Varanasi with destinations like Prayagraj, Chitrakoot, and the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Khajuraho, providing a major boost to pilgrimage and cultural tourism.
In addition to the Banaras-Khajuraho train, the Prime Minister will virtually inaugurate three other Vande Bharat Express services:
Lucknow-Saharanpur Vande Bharat Express: This train will cover the journey in approximately 7 hours and 45 minutes, saving passengers nearly 1 hour of travel time. It will benefit passengers across central and western Uttar Pradesh, including cities like Sitapur, Shahjahanpur, Bareilly, Moradabad, Bijnor, and Saharanpur.
Firozpur-Delhi Vande Bharat Express
Ernakulam-Bengaluru Vande Bharat Express
The coordinated launch of four trains from Varanasi underscores the government’s push for modernizing railway infrastructure to enhance regional mobility and support economic activity nationwide.
