New Delhi-Varanasi Vande Bharat Sleeper Express Set for October 31 Inauguration

The second Vande Bharat Sleeper Express, connecting New Delhi with Varanasi, is scheduled to be inaugurated on October 31, with Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath set to jointly inaugurate the service.

The Railway Board has approved the operation of the train between the two cities. According to a notification issued on October 27, the service will operate under train numbers 27421 and 27422.

The train will stop at Prayagraj, Kanpur Central, Aligarh and Ghaziabad, providing improved connectivity between the national capital and several important cities in Uttar Pradesh.

The Vande Bharat Sleeper is a next-generation, self-propelled, 16-coach air-conditioned train developed under the Make in India initiative. Designed for long-distance overnight journeys, it aims to offer faster, safer and more comfortable travel. The train has a tested maximum speed of 180 kmph and an operational speed of 160 kmph.

It offers a total of 823 berths, comprising 24 in First AC, 188 in AC 2-Tier and 611 in AC 3-Tier. Passenger amenities include 52 vacuum toilets, sealed gangways and mini-pantries to improve convenience during overnight journeys.

Safety features include compliance with EN 15227 crashworthiness standards and EN 45545 HL3 fire-safety standards. The train is also equipped with the indigenous KAVACH train protection system, CCTV surveillance and fire-suppression systems to enhance passenger safety.

Additionally, regenerative braking technology has been incorporated to improve energy efficiency, supporting Indian Railways' efforts to modernise long-distance passenger services.

The introduction of the Vande Bharat Sleeper Express on the New Delhi-Varanasi route is expected to provide passengers with an upgraded overnight travel option between the national capital and one of Uttar Pradesh's major cities.