New Delhi, Nov 6 (NationPress) Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to visit Varanasi on November 8 to inaugurate four new Vande Bharat Express trains, marking a vital advancement in the nation’s contemporary railway infrastructure, as announced by an official on Thursday.

This inauguration signifies yet another step towards achieving the Prime Minister’s vision of offering citizens more convenient, speedy, and comfortable travel options through state-of-the-art railway services, the official noted in a statement.

The new Vande Bharat Express trains will operate on the routes connecting Banaras–Khajuraho, Lucknow–Saharanpur, Firozpur–Delhi, and Ernakulam–Bengaluru.

These trains will greatly shorten travel durations between key locations, thereby enhancing regional connectivity, encouraging tourism, and bolstering economic activities throughout the nation, according to the statement.

The Banaras–Khajuraho route will provide direct access and reduce travel time by approximately 2 hours and 40 minutes compared to existing special trains.

This service will link some of India’s most esteemed religious and cultural sites, including Varanasi, Prayagraj, Chitrakoot, and Khajuraho.

This connection will not only enhance religious and cultural tourism but will also offer pilgrims and travelers a swift, modern, and comfortable passage to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Khajuraho.

The Lucknow–Saharanpur route will take around 7 hours and 45 minutes, saving nearly 1 hour of travel time. It will benefit travelers from Lucknow, Sitapur, Shahjahanpur, Bareilly, Moradabad, Bijnor, and Saharanpur, while also improving access to the sacred city of Haridwar via Roorkee.

This service will facilitate smoother and quicker intercity travel across central and western Uttar Pradesh, playing a crucial role in enhancing connectivity and regional development, as stated by the official.

The Firozpur–Delhi Vande Bharat will be the quickest train on this route, covering the journey in just 6 hours and 40 minutes. This express will strengthen the link between the national capital and essential cities in Punjab, such as Firozpur, Bathinda, and Patiala.

This train is anticipated to stimulate trade, tourism, and job opportunities, contributing to the socio-economic development of border regions and fostering deeper integration with national markets, the statement added.

In Southern India, the Ernakulam–Bengaluru Vande Bharat will cut travel time between the two cities by over 2 hours, completing the journey in 8 hours and 40 minutes.

This express will link major IT and commercial centers, providing a faster and more comfortable travel option for professionals, students, and tourists.

The route will enhance economic activity and tourism between Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka, supporting regional growth and collaboration.