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<\/p>\nTFP Bureau, Varanasi, November 8, 2025. Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagged off four new Vande Bharat Express trains from Varanasi today, marking a major expansion of India\u2019s high-speed rail network. The new services\u2014Banaras\u2013Khajuraho, Firozpur\u2013Delhi, Lucknow\u2013Saharanpur and Ernakulam\u2013Bengaluru\u2014take the total number of operational Vande Bharat trains in the country to more than 160.<\/p>\n
Addressing the gathering, the Prime Minister extended his greetings to the people of Varanasi, noting the festive atmosphere following Dev Deepawali, and termed the launch of the new trains a \u201cfestival of development.\u201d He said that advanced transport infrastructure has been central to growth in developed nations and that India, too, is accelerating on this path.<\/p>\n
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\u201cTrains like Vande Bharat, Namo Bharat and Amrit Bharat are laying the foundation for the next generation of Indian Railways,\u201d Shri Modi said, adding that Vande Bharat reflects the strength of \u201ca train made by Indians, for Indians and of Indians.\u201d He noted that the new trains represent milestones in India\u2019s mission to build the resources of a developed nation.<\/p>\n
A major highlight of the Prime Minister\u2019s address was the growing connectivity of spiritual and heritage destinations. Citing Prayagraj, Ayodhya, Haridwar, Chitrakoot and Kurukshetra, he said the Vande Bharat network is linking sacred sites that embody India\u2019s civilizational ethos. \u201cThis convergence of culture, faith and development is transforming heritage cities into symbols of national progress,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Shri Modi underscored the economic dimension of pilgrimage, noting that the influx of devotees has created sustained income opportunities for sectors ranging from hospitality to transport and traditional crafts. He said over 11 crore people visited Varanasi last year, while more than 6 crore devotees have visited Ayodhya since the Ram Temple\u2019s inauguration, contributing thousands of crores of rupees to Uttar Pradesh\u2019s economy.<\/p>\n
The Prime Minister outlined the rapid pace of development in Varanasi\u2014from improved hospitals, roads and digital connectivity to the ropeway project and new sports infrastructure. He said recent investments have transformed Varanasi into a health hub for eastern Uttar Pradesh, citing facilities such as the Mahamana Cancer Hospital, Shankar Netralaya, BHU\u2019s trauma centre and the divisional hospital at Pandeypur. With Ayushman Bharat and Jan Aushadhi Kendras, millions of patients are saving significant medical costs, he added.<\/p>\n
At the event, Shri Modi also interacted with students who participated in competitions themed around Viksit Bharat, Viksit Kashi and Surakshit Bharat as part of the launch ceremony. Praising their creativity, he suggested organising a children\u2019s literary meet and taking selected winners to other parts of the country.<\/p>\n
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Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw were present, while several dignitaries, including Kerala Governor Rajendra Arlekar and Union Ministers Suresh Gopi, George Kurian and Ravneet Singh Bittu, joined via videoconference.<\/p>\n
Background<\/strong><\/p>\n The four newly launched Vande Bharat trains significantly enhance connectivity across India:<\/p>\n \u2022 Banaras\u2013Khajuraho Vande Bharat<\/strong>: Saves nearly 2 hours 40 minutes and connects major religious and cultural centres including Varanasi, Prayagraj, Chitrakoot and Khajuraho, bolstering pilgrimage and tourism. The new services are expected to improve regional mobility, boost tourism, and support economic activity, advancing the Prime Minister\u2019s vision of providing world-class, efficient and comfortable rail travel for citizens.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Prime Minister says Vande Bharat, Namo Bharat and Amrit Bharat trains are shaping next-generation rail travel; new routes to boost connectivity, pilgrimage circuits and regional development.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":4492,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[116,27,210],"tags":[758],"class_list":["post-4489","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-breaking-news","category-national","category-pmo","tag-vandebharat-express"],"yoast_head":"\n
\n\u2022 Lucknow\u2013Saharanpur Vande Bharat<\/strong>: Covers the route in about 7 hours 45 minutes, improving access to Haridwar via Roorkee and benefiting passengers across central and western Uttar Pradesh.
\n\u2022 Firozpur\u2013Delhi Vande Bharat<\/strong>: Now the fastest train on this route at 6 hours 40 minutes, strengthening Punjab\u2019s connectivity with the national capital and supporting trade and employment in border districts.
\n\u2022 Ernakulam\u2013Bengaluru Vande Bharat<\/strong>: Cuts travel time by more than 2 hours, linking major commercial and IT hubs across Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka and promoting economic integration in southern India.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/thefrontpage24.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/IMG_1984-1024x549.jpeg\")
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