Indian Railway News: Indian Railways is set to launch the first sleeper Vande Bharat Express between Varanasi and Delhi. The train will provide semi-high-speed travel to passengers like Vande Bharat but with a luxury sleeper coach experience.
The Railways is yet to announce the launch date and other details related to the semi-high-speed train. However, the train is expected to start its journey from Varanasi at night and reach the national capital the next morning. It is likely to depart from Cantt Railway Station at 9:30 PM and reach New Delhi between 4:30 and 5 am.
On its return journey too, the train would depart at night and reach Varanasi the next morning. It is expected to leave New Delhi railway station between 9:30 and 10:00 pm. It is not yet clear when the train will start operations.
Currently, two Vande Bharat Express trains are operational between the two stations. They run at a speed of 110 kmph. The sleeper Vande Bharat Express is set to increase its speed by 20 kmph to 130 kmph.
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The railway is also working on a strategy to increase the maximum speed of the Varanasi-New Delhi section to 160 kmph. Officials aim to explore the possibility of running another train.
Pressure on Shivganga will decrease
Train services from Varanasi to New Delhi are limited. While several long-distance trains pass through the station, there are only four trains operating regularly from Varanasi Junction and Varanasi Railway Station. The launch of the premium Vande Bharat Express will ease traffic pressure on Shivganga Express.
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The train will pass through Varanasi Junction, Prayagraj Junction, Kanpur Central and New Delhi Railway Station. The train is expected to run as a 16-coach trainset accommodating 823 passengers across 1 First AC coach, 11 AC 3-tier and 4 AC 2-tier.
(With inputs from Rakesh Srivastava)