• Source:JND

The Indian Railways is set to operate a Vande Bharat Express between Prayagraj and Agra, starting next month. The Prayagraj Zone of North Central Railways (NCR) will operate the saffron-coloured Vande Bharat Express, which has 11 coaches and can reach speeds of up to 180 kmph. 

The semi-high-speed train will take only four and a half hours to travel between the two cities, making it easier for pilgrims to attend religious festivals like Magh Mela and Kumbh Mela and return on the same day. 

The train will have stoppages at Tundla, Etawah and Kanpur railway stations and will be operated by loco pilots and guards of Agra Railway Division. 

The fare of the train has not been announced yet, but it is expected to be 10 to 15 per cent more than the superfast train. The train will depart from Agra Cantt at 6.00 am and arrive at Prayagraj at 10.30 am. It will leave from Prayagraj at 5 pm and reach Agra Cantt at 9.30 pm.

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The first Vande Bharat Express of Agra Railway Division started operating on April 1, 2023. There was a high demand for the train service between Agra and Prayagraj, as the distance of 447 km takes six and a half to seven hours by other trains.

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The North Central Railway division of the Railways announced that the services will begin before the Magh Mela. Several devotees reach Prayagraj in Magh Mela at the banks of Triveni Sangam, where the confluence of Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswati takes place. The Magh Mela will be held in January 2024, followed by the Kumbh Mela in 2025 anticipating a massive crowd of devotees in Prayagraj.  

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