Nearly 4 crore passengers travel in FY 2025–26; sleeper service records over 100% occupancy, boosting confidence in premium rail network
TFP Bureau, New Delhi, April 10,2026: India’s premium semi-high-speed rail network, the Vande Bharat Express, has witnessed a sharp rise in passenger demand, reflecting a growing shift towards faster, more comfortable and modern rail travel across the country.
According to official data, around 3.98 crore passengers travelled on Vande Bharat trains in FY 2025–26, registering a robust growth of nearly 34% compared to 2.97 crore passengers in the previous financial year. Since its introduction, the train service has carried over 9.1 crore passengers through nearly one lakh trips, underlining its widespread acceptance and sustained popularity among travellers.
Officials said the rising ridership highlights a clear preference for modern, time-efficient rail services that combine speed, safety and passenger comfort, in line with Indian Railways’ ongoing transformation strategy.
Flagship Routes Continue to Drive High Demand
The busiest corridor remains the Vande Bharat Express service between New Delhi and Varanasi, which has carried over 73 lakh passengers so far. The New Delhi–Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra route has recorded around 56 lakh passengers, reflecting strong demand for pilgrimage travel.
In southern India, the Secunderabad–Visakhapatnam route has served more than 48 lakh passengers, while the Chennai–Mysuru corridor has carried over 36 lakh passengers, indicating strong regional connectivity and sustained passenger growth.
Officials noted that these routes have also contributed significantly to tourism and local economies by improving access to religious, cultural and coastal destinations, thereby increasing visitor inflow and regional mobility.
Sleeper Variant Sees Strong Early Response
Further expanding its premium offering, Indian Railways introduced the Vande Bharat Sleeper service in January 2026. In its first three months of operation, the sleeper version transported 1.21 lakh passengers across 119 trips, achieving occupancy levels of over 100%, signalling strong demand for overnight high-speed travel.
Railway officials said the overwhelming response reflects growing passenger confidence in long-distance modern rail services, particularly those offering upgraded comfort and reduced travel time.
Boost to Make in India Vision
The Vande Bharat Express, India’s first indigenously designed and manufactured semi-high-speed train, was launched in 2019 on the New Delhi–Varanasi route and has since expanded into a nationwide network.
Officials said the train embodies the government’s Make in India initiative by showcasing domestic manufacturing capabilities in high-speed rail technology. With enhanced speed, improved safety features and modern passenger amenities, the train has become a symbol of India’s push towards self-reliance in advanced transport systems.
Expanding Network and Future Growth
Indian Railways has stated that continued expansion of Vande Bharat services is planned across major metros, pilgrimage centres, heritage cities and emerging economic corridors. The addition of sleeper services is expected to further strengthen long-distance connectivity and redefine overnight rail travel standards in the country.
Officials said the sustained rise in passenger numbers underscores a broader transformation in India’s railway sector, with Vande Bharat trains emerging as the flagship of a new era of efficient, comfortable and technology-driven public transport.
