Sep 25, 2026, 11:06:03 AM IST

Indian Railways is working on plans for a Sleeper Vande Bharat Express between New Delhi and Varanasi. It would be the second such service in the country, after the Howrah-Kamakhya route. Railway officials are reportedly targeting a launch around Diwali, with trials possibly starting this month itself.

Agencies

The proposed route does not just connect Delhi and Varanasi. It will also cover Prayagraj and Kanpur, two of the busiest travel destinations in Uttar Pradesh. This makes it a useful option for passengers travelling to any of these four cities, not just the endpoints.

Agencies

From Varanasi Cantt, the train is proposed to depart at 9:20 pm, reach Prayagraj by 10:45 pm and pass through Kanpur Central at 12:35 am before arriving at New Delhi at 5 am. In the reverse direction, departure from New Delhi is proposed at 9:20 pm, arriving Varanasi at 5 am.

Agencies

The train is expected to operate between 130 kmph and 160 kmph, depending on track conditions and progress under the Railways' Mission Raftaar initiative. Higher speeds could meaningfully cut down journey times on this corridor, though final speeds will depend on trials and clearances.

Agencies

The train will have 16 coaches carrying a total of 823 passengers. The composition is expected to be 11 AC 3-tier coaches, four AC 2-tier coaches, and one First AC coach. Northern Railway is expected to handle primary maintenance of the rake.

Agencies

While the timeline and timings have been discussed, the Railway Board has not yet confirmed the train number, fare structure, or date for regular operations. Final schedule and speed will also depend on trial outcomes. So it is worth watching for an official announcement before making any plans.

Agencies

Praveen Patel, a member of the Zonal Railway Users' Consultative Committee (ZRUCC) NCR, told TOI, the indigenously developed Sleeper Vande Bharat could make travel between Delhi, Prayagraj and Varanasi more convenient while reducing effective travel time. If launched on time, it could offer a good alternative during the busy Diwali rush.Inputs from TOI & Agencies

Agencies