Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday, 31 October 2025, hailed the launch of the Kashi-Delhi Vande Bharat Sleeper Train as a landmark moment for rail passengers travelling between New Delhi and Varanasi, saying the semi-high-speed overnight service would save time and significantly upgrade the travel experience. The new train is India's second Vande Bharat Sleeper service, following the earlier rollout on the Howrah-Kamakhya route.

PM Modi's Remarks

Taking to social media platform X in Hindi, Prime Minister Modi said, 'Today is a historic day for those traveling by rail between Delhi and Kashi. With the launch of the Kashi-Delhi Vande Bharat Sleeper Train, not only will there be a saving of time, but their experience is also set to improve. Equipped with modern amenities and a state-of-the-art safety system, this is the country's second Vande Bharat Sleeper Train.'

In a second post, Modi underlined the train's wider social significance: 'The Vande Bharat Sleeper train running from Kashi to Prayagraj, via Kanpur Central, to Delhi will make travel convenient for millions of devotees, tourists, youth, and businesspeople. Whether it's a darshan of Baba Vishwanath or a journey to the Sangam, this train will connect faith with opportunity and tradition with modernity. Heartfelt best wishes to everyone for this new rail service.'

Flag-Off and Key Officials

Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath were scheduled to flag off the train from Varanasi. The launch comes during the ongoing festive season, a period that typically sees a sharp surge in passenger traffic on the Delhi-Varanasi corridor.

Schedule, Route and Coaches

The new service will operate six days a week. Train number 27421 departs Varanasi at 8:50 pm and arrives at Delhi at 5:55 am the following morning. The return service, train number 27422, leaves New Delhi at 9:40 pm and reaches Varanasi at 6:45 am. The 16-coach train runs via Kanpur Central and covers the approximately 760 km journey in 9 hours and 30 minutes, offering three classes: Third AC, Second AC, and First AC.

Why This Service Matters

The Delhi-Varanasi corridor is one of India's most heavily trafficked overnight routes, serving pilgrims headed to the Kashi Vishwanath temple and the Sangam at Prayagraj, students, and businesspersons. Notably, this is only the second Vande Bharat Sleeper deployment since Indian Railways began expanding the platform beyond its daytime chair-car avatar. The addition of sleeper stock to the Vande Bharat family represents a broader strategic push to modernise overnight travel — a segment that accounts for a substantial share of long-distance rail journeys across India. With the train equipped with what officials describe as a state-of-the-art safety system, it also signals an intent to raise safety benchmarks on high-frequency intercity corridors.

What's Next

With two Vande Bharat Sleeper services now operational, Indian Railways is expected to expand the fleet to additional corridors. The festive-season timing of this launch is likely to generate early ridership data that could inform future deployment decisions on comparable routes.