Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw jointly presided over the flag off ceremony at Banaras Railway Station, Varanasi, on 31 October 2026, launching the Varanasi–New Delhi Vande Bharat Sleeper Express and two new MEMU train services.
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath addressed a gathering at the flag off event in Varanasi on 31 October 2026, marking the launch of the Varanasi–New Delhi Vande Bharat Sleeper Express and new MEMU services linking Varanasi City with Raja Talab and Banaras with Prayagraj Rambagh.
The Varanasi–New Delhi Vande Bharat Sleeper Express, flagged off at Banaras Railway Station on 31 October 2026, offers overnight sleeper class connectivity between Varanasi and the national capital, adding a premium travel option to the corridor.
One of the two new MEMU services launched on 31 October 2026 connects Varanasi City with Raja Talab, improving suburban rail access for commuters in the Varanasi district of Uttar Pradesh.
The second new MEMU service, flagged off on 31 October 2026, operates between Banaras and Prayagraj Rambagh, strengthening rail links between two of Uttar Pradesh's major religious and cultural centres.
Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw co chaired the flag off of three new services at Banaras Railway Station on 31 October 2026 — the Varanasi–New Delhi Vande Bharat Sleeper and two MEMU trains — extending Indian Railways' footprint in eastern Uttar Pradesh.
Varanasi added three new rail services to its network on 31 October 2026 — the Vande Bharat Sleeper Express to New Delhi, a MEMU to Raja Talab, and a MEMU to Prayagraj Rambagh — enhancing both long distance and suburban connectivity in the region.