In November 2025, Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi inaugurated four new Vande Bharat trains during his two-day visit to Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh (UP), bringing the total number of operational Vande Bharat services across India to 164.
- The new Vande Bharat routes include Banaras (UP)–Khajuraho (Madhya Pradesh, MP), Lucknow (UP)–Saharanpur (Uttar Pradesh), Firozpur Cantt (Punjab)–Delhi, and Ernakulam (Kerala)–Bengalur(Karnataka), enhancing regional and inter-state connectivity.
- These newly launched semi-high-speed trains are developed by Tamil Nad(TN)’s Integral Coach Factory (ICF).
About Vande Bharat Trains:
- Banaras-Khajuraho Vande Bharat Express: It will provide direct connectivity on ‘Banaras-Khajuraho’ route and reduce travel time by nearly 2 hours 40 minutes (mins) compared to special trains currently in operation.
- Lucknow-Saharanpur Vande Bharat Express: The train will cover the total distance between UP’s two cities Lucknow and Sahranpur, in approximately 7 hours and 45 mins, thereby reducing travel time by 1hour and 45 mins.
- Firozpur-Delhi Vande Bharat Express: Among all the 4 new Vande Bharat trains, this train will be the fastest train and will cover the total distance in 6 hours and 40 mins.
- Bengaluru-Ernakulam: It is the 1st inter-state semi-high-speed premium train service connecting southern states: Kerala, Tamil Nad(TN), and Karnataka. It will complete the entire journey (583 kilometers, kms) in 8 hours and 40 mins, reducing travel time by over 2 hours.
IAS-2026 - OPTIONAL / GEOGRAPHY / PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION / SOCIOLOGY / ANTHROPOLOGY / ORIENTATION ON 03 & 04-10-2025 
