Vande Bharat Train News: A brand-new 16-coach semi-high-speed Vande Bharat train rake arrived at Gorakhpur Junction on Thursday night. It is set to undergo cleaning and routine checks at the washing pit on Friday. This advanced rake is expected to be deployed on the Gorakhpur–Ayodhya–Lucknow–Prayagraj route.
The 8-coach Vande Bharat train currently operating on the Gorakhpur–Prayagraj route will be reassigned to run on the Gorakhpur–Patna route. According to Jagran.com, railway authorities are ramping up efforts to boost Vande Bharat services, aiming to improve travel convenience across Uttar Pradesh and Bihar.
Although another 16-coach Vande Bharat train was already stationed at Gorakhpur for the same route, it encountered technical problems and will be returned. Currently, both 16-coach rakes are in the railway yard. Officials have stated that the new train will only begin operations after a thorough initial inspection. While the launch date is still pending, the new rake is likely to first run on the Gorakhpur–Prayagraj route.
Once the 8-coach train is taken off that route, it will begin serving the Gorakhpur–Patna corridor. Plans for this new service are already in full swing. The train will travel via Bettiah, Narkatiaganj, and Muzaffarpur before reaching Patna. As per the current schedule, the train will leave Gorakhpur at 4 AM and return by 9:30 PM the same day. During a recent visit to Gorakhpur and Bettiah, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced the upcoming launch of this new Vande Bharat service.
Vande Bharat Variants: 8-Coach, 16-Coach
The Vande Bharat trains, built with indigenous technology, are fully air-conditioned and currently available in 8 and 16-coach versions. Alongside these, sleeper versions are also in development to enhance long-distance travel comfort for travellers.
On July 7, 2023, Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagged off the first 8-coach Vande Bharat from Gorakhpur Junction. Initially, it operated up to Lucknow via Ayodhya, but due to rising passenger demand, the route was extended to include Prayagraj.
Looking ahead, the North Eastern Railway zone, with Gorakhpur as its headquarters, is preparing to expand Vande Bharat coverage across most major routes. There’s a proposal for 17 new trains, which includes seven more Vande Bharat and two Amrit Bharat trains, reported Jagran.com. Future plans also feature a pink-coloured sleeper version of the Vande Bharat to run between Gorakhpur and Delhi, along with additional services via Varanasi to Prayagraj.