*Major Diwali gift for Kashi: country second Vande Bharat Sleeper train launched for Delhi*
*Rail connectivity between Varanasi and New Delhi strengthened, making overnight travel faster and more comfortable*
*Four pairs of MEMU trains launched between Varanasi City and Rajatalab, with a monthly travel pass available for just ₹95*
*New train service introduced between Banaras and Prayagraj Rambagh, with a monthly travel pass available for ₹220*
*Varanasi, October 31.
* Kashi has received a major gift in railway connectivity for Diwali. Rail connectivity between Varanasi, the country’s spiritual and cultural capital, and the national capital, Delhi, has been further strengthened. On Saturday, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw flagged off the country’s second Vande Bharat Sleeper train between Varanasi and New Delhi, four pairs of MEMU train services between Varanasi City and Rajatalab, and a new train service between Banaras and Prayagraj Rambagh at a ceremony held at Banaras Railway Station.
Kashi witnesses the arrival of devotees, tourists, students, and businesspeople from across the country and abroad throughout the year. Improved overnight rail connectivity with New Delhi will make travel more convenient for people visiting capital for religious, educational, business and administrative purposes. Meanwhile, the newly introduced local MEMU services will facilitate travel between the city and surrounding areas.
With the expansion of railway facilities through the Yogi government’s efforts, passengers from Kashi and neighboring districts will have access to additional convenient travel options.Residents of the region had been demanding a Vande Bharat Sleeper train between Varanasi and New Delhi for a long time. In response to passengers’ requirements and public expectations, this service has now been introduced.
The new train will enable passengers to travel from Varanasi to Delhi overnight, complete important engagements during the day, and return to Varanasi at night. This will save travel time between the two cities and provide passengers with a comfortable rail travel option.Train No. 27421, Varanasi-New Delhi Vande Bharat Sleeper, will depart from Varanasi at 8:50 PM and reach New Delhi at 6:10 AM the following day. Similarly, Train No. 27422, the New Delhi-Varanasi Vande Bharat Sleeper, will depart from New Delhi at 9:40 PM and reach Varanasi at 7:10 AM the next day.
The train will stop at Prayagraj, Kanpur Central, Aligarh and Ghaziabad stations.Train No. 27421, Varanasi-New Delhi Vande Bharat Sleeper, will operate from Varanasi every Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday. Train No. 27422, New Delhi-Varanasi Vande Bharat Sleeper, will operate from New Delhi every Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday.Vande Bharat Sleeper is India’s next-generation semi-high-speed train designed for long-distance travel. It was developed to make overnight journeys faster, safer, and more comfortable.
It is the sleeper version of the existing Vande Bharat chair-car train.Vande Bharat Sleeper is a 16-coach self-propelled train set designed and manufactured under the ‘Make in India’ initiative. It has a maximum operating speed of 160 kmph. Fully air-conditioned train features First AC, Second AC and Third AC coaches, offering a total of 823 berths.To improve energy efficiency, train is equipped with a regenerative braking system and under-slung propulsion equipment. Its advanced aerodynamic design helps ensure a smoother journey and reduces jerks during travel.Train coaches are made of austenitic stainless steel and comply with EN15227 crashworthiness standards.
They feature fully sealed flexible gangways with a quick-release arrangement. The coaches are equipped with centrally controlled, single-leaf automatic sliding plug doors, sound insulation to reduce noise, and both direct and indirect LED lighting. The coaches also include sensor-based intercommunication doors.For passenger safety, train incorporates arrangements compliant with EN45545 HL3 fire safety standards. It is equipped with fire-resistant doors at the ends of coaches, a Train Collision Avoidance System (TCAS), dedicated emergency lighting, smoke and fire detection systems, and CCTV cameras.
Emergency alarm push buttons have also been provided for passenger convenience.The train features modern, comfortable, odor-free toilets equipped with a vacuum evacuation system. Special berths and toilet facilities have been provided for passengers with disabilities. Other facilities include adequate luggage space, three-pin charging sockets with integrated switches, BRL, Type-A and Type-C USB charging ports.Additional facilities include a PAPIS-based communication system connecting driver, guard and passengers, hot-water showers in the First AC coaches, Wi-Fi routers with access point networks, and air-conditioning and toilet facilities in the driver’s cabin for railway personnel.
There had been a long-standing demand for local train services between Varanasi City and Rajatalab to facilitate commuting between Varanasi and its western areas. Keeping this requirement of Kashi residents in mind, four pairs of MEMU trains have been introduced between Varanasi City and Rajatalab. These trains will stop at Varanasi Junction, Banaras, Bhulanpur and Hardattpur stations along route. The fare for an SST pass for this service has been fixed at ₹95.These MEMU trains will have 12 coaches.
Their operation will make commuting easier for employees working in private and government offices, students, tourists, patients and businesspeople. With an additional local rail transport option, pressure on road traffic is expected to decrease, easing congestion. Passengers will also be able to reach International Cricket Stadium from Rajatalab via the Ring Road.Given the growing number of passengers traveling between Varanasi and Prayagraj, two major religious, educational and tourism centers of eastern Uttar Pradesh, a new train service has been introduced between Banaras and Prayagraj Rambagh.
Residents of the region have long demanded an additional, affordable rail service between the two cities. The new service will give passengers another travel option between Varanasi and Prayagraj. The fare for an SST pass for this train service has been fixed at ₹220.Passengers traveling from Varanasi to Prayagraj will be able to reach their destination in the morning, complete their office, business, and other important engagements, and return to Banaras in the evening. With the journey between the two cities taking about two and a half hours, the service will particularly benefit students, tourists, businesspeople, farmers, and people traveling for work at the High Court.
It will help passengers save both time and money.In addition, route of Train No. 65111/65112, the Banaras-Prayagraj Rambagh-Banaras MEMU service, will be extended to Aunrihar. Regular operations on the extended route will commence from November 1.
