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New Delhi-Varanasi Sleeper Vande Bharat: Overnight Service with 823 Berths Planned
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News18•23-09-2026, 14:57
New Delhi-Varanasi Sleeper Vande Bharat: Overnight Service with 823 Berths Planned
- •Indian Railways plans to launch a second sleeper Vande Bharat Express connecting New Delhi and Varanasi, potentially around Diwali.
- •The overnight service will run via Prayagraj and Kanpur, offering an alternative travel option between the national capital and eastern Uttar Pradesh.
- •The proposed train is expected to depart Varanasi Cantt at 9:20 PM and arrive in New Delhi at 5:00 AM, with a return journey also departing at 9:20 PM.
- •It will feature 16 coaches with a total capacity of 823 passengers, including 11 AC 3-tier, four AC 2-tier, and one First AC coach.
- •Trial runs could begin in September, but the Railway Board has not yet announced the train number, fares, or final operational date.
Key Questions Answered
The proposed New Delhi-Varanasi sleeper Vande Bharat Express is expected to feature 16 coaches with a total capacity of 823 passengers. The configuration includes 11 AC 3-tier coaches, four AC 2-tier coaches, and one First AC coach.
The overnight train is planned to run via Prayagraj and Kanpur. As per the tentative timetable, it is expected to depart Varanasi Cantt at 9:20 PM, reach Kanpur Central at 12:35 AM, and arrive in New Delhi at 5:00 AM, with the return journey also leaving New Delhi at 9:20 PM.
Railway authorities are planning to introduce the service around Diwali, with trial runs potentially beginning in September. However, the Railway Board has not yet officially announced the final launch date, train number, or fares.
