Key Highlights:
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagged off four new Vande Bharat Express trains from Varanasi on November 8, 2025, bringing the total operational services to 164 across India
- The new Vande Bharat Express operates on Banaras-Khajuraho, Lucknow-Saharanpur, Firozpur-Delhi, and Ernakulam-Bengaluru routes, reducing travel time by up to 2 hours and 40 minutes
- New Vande Bharat Express trains maintain exceptional occupancy rates of 102.01% in FY 2024-25 and 105.03% in FY 2025-26, reflecting strong passenger demand
Opening Overview
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated four new Vande Bharat Express trains from Varanasi on November 8, 2025, marking another significant milestone in India’s railway modernization drive. The launch of these semi-high-speed trains expanded the total number of operational services across the country to 164, representing a substantial leap in providing world-class rail connectivity.
Speaking at a public rally after the inauguration in his parliamentary constituency, PM Modi emphasized that the new Vande Bharat Express will “enhance connectivity and provide greater comfort” to citizens while laying the foundation for a new generation of Indian Railways. The event, attended by Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, showcased the government’s commitment to transforming rail infrastructure through indigenously manufactured trains.
इन 4 नई ट्रेनों के साथ ही अब देश में 160 से ज्यादा वंदे भारत ट्रेनों का संचालन होने लगा है…: प्रधानमंत्री श्री @narendramodi जी pic.twitter.com/FHGRxAn5Ym
— Government of UP (@UPGovt) November 8, 2025
Expanding Regional Connectivity Through Strategic Routes
The four new Vande Bharat Express trains connect crucial economic and cultural centers across northern and southern India, addressing long-standing connectivity gaps. The Banaras-Khajuraho new Vande Bharat Express establishes direct connectivity between Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh, saving approximately 2 hours and 40 minutes compared to special trains currently operating on this route. This service connects revered religious and cultural destinations including Varanasi, Prayagraj, Chitrakoot, and the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Khajuraho, strengthening religious and cultural tourism while providing pilgrims and travelers with modern, comfortable journeys.
The Lucknow-Saharanpur new Vande Bharat Express covers the journey in approximately 7 hours and 45 minutes, saving nearly one hour of travel time for passengers from Lucknow, Sitapur, Shahjahanpur, Bareilly, Moradabad, Bijnor, and Saharanpur. This route significantly improves access to the holy city of Haridwar via Roorkee and ensures smoother, faster intercity travel across central and western Uttar Pradesh, playing a key role in enhancing regional development.
The Firozpur-Delhi new Vande Bharat Express emerges as the fastest train on this route, completing the journey in 6 hours and 40 minutes while strengthening connectivity between Delhi and key Punjabi cities including Firozpur, Bathinda, and Patiala. This service is expected to boost trade, tourism, and employment opportunities, contributing to the socio-economic development of border regions and fostering greater integration with national markets.
The Ernakulam-Bengaluru new Vande Bharat Express reduces travel time by over two hours, completing the journey in 8 hours and 40 minutes. Connecting major IT and commercial hubs, this train provides professionals, students, and tourists with faster and more comfortable travel options while promoting greater economic activity and tourism between Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka.
Unprecedented Success Metrics and Passenger Demand
The new Vande Bharat Express network demonstrates exceptional performance metrics that underscore its success in meeting passenger expectations and travel demands. According to official data from Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, the overall occupancy of these trains in Financial Year 2024-25 reached 102.01%, while the ongoing fiscal year 2025-26 recorded even higher occupancy of 105.03% through June 2025. These remarkable figures, exceeding 100% capacity, reflect strong public demand and validate the government’s investment in semi-high-speed rail infrastructure.
Prior to the November 8 launch, Indian Railways operated 156 services across the country. With the addition of eight new services comprising four train pairs, the total operational count reached 164, representing significant expansion of modern rail connectivity. Executive Director Dilip Kumar of the Indian Railway Board confirmed this expansion, highlighting the strategic deployment of the new Vande Bharat Express across multiple states.
The manufacturing capacity supporting this expansion remains robust, with the Chennai-based Integral Coach Factory producing 640 coaches over the last three financial years. Additionally, ICF set new production records in 2024-25, rolling out 3,007 coaches including 1,169 Distributed Power Rolling Stock coaches, which encompass sleeper and chair configurations for the new Vande Bharat Express.
| Financial Metric | FY 2024-25 | FY 2025-26 (Till June) |
|---|---|---|
| Occupancy Rate | 102.01% | 105.03% |
| Operational Services (Before Nov 8) | 156 | 156 |
| Total Services (After Nov 8) | 164 | 164 |
Infrastructure Investment and Manufacturing Excellence
Indian Railways has embarked on an ambitious infrastructure modernization program backed by substantial financial allocations and capital investments. The Government allocated ₹2,65,000 crore as gross budgetary support to Indian Railways for Financial Year 2025-26, maintaining parity with the previous fiscal year. With an additional ₹10,000 crore from extra-budgetary resources, the total capital expenditure reached ₹2,75,000 crore, demonstrating the government’s sustained commitment to railway transformation through the new Vande Bharat Express program.
The Integral Coach Factory in Chennai serves as the primary manufacturing hub, with production targets of 644 coaches, 276 coaches for MEMU trains, and 480 three-phase EMU coaches for suburban services planned for 2024-25. The Rail Coach Factory in Kapurthala received a production program for manufacturing 320 coaches, diversifying production capacity across facilities. These manufacturing capabilities support Indian Railways’ ambitious plan to produce 400 new Vande Bharat Express trains within the next three years.
PM Modi emphasized during the inauguration that the new Vande Bharat Express represents a train “made by Indians, for Indians, and of Indians—one that fills every Indian with pride.” This indigenous manufacturing approach aligns with the government’s Make in India initiative while reducing dependence on foreign technology and expertise. The first service was flagged off on February 15, 2019, on the New Delhi-Kanpur-Allahabad-Varanasi route, running at speeds of 160 kilometers per hour.
Infrastructure development extends beyond rolling stock to comprehensive network expansion, with Indian Railways planning to construct 100,000 kilometers of new railway tracks over the next two decades. As of fiscal 2024, over 94% of the broad-gauge network has been electrified, while efforts to modernize rolling stock and upgrade tracks continue. The Kavach safety system expansion to cover 44,000 kilometers within five years represents another critical component of railway modernization supporting the new Vande Bharat Express network.
Closing Assessment
The launch of four new Vande Bharat Express trains from Varanasi reinforces India’s transformation into a nation with world-class railway infrastructure capable of competing with global standards. These trains not only reduce travel time and enhance passenger comfort but also catalyze regional economic development by improving connectivity between major commercial, cultural, and tourism centers. With 164 operational services maintaining occupancy rates exceeding 100%, the new Vande Bharat Express network has transcended its role as mere transportation infrastructure to become a symbol of India’s technological capabilities and development aspirations.
PM Modi’s vision of trains laying the foundation for a new generation of Indian Railways reflects broader national goals of infrastructure-led economic growth. The continued expansion of the new Vande Bharat Express network, supported by robust manufacturing capabilities and substantial capital investments, positions Indian Railways to achieve its ambitious targets while meeting the growing demands of millions of passengers seeking faster, safer, and more comfortable travel options. As Railway Minister Vaishnaw noted, the upcoming 4.0 version expected within 18 months aims to establish global benchmarks, potentially setting standards that countries worldwide would aspire to adopt for their own new Vande Bharat Express services.
