Northern Railway is set to mark a historic milestone in the nation’s transportation sector on July 17, 2026, with the launch of three new train services. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will virtually flag off these additions, which include India’s first-ever hydrogen-powered train and the highly anticipated Varanasi-Cheharta Vande Bharat Sleeper service, officially named the Sant Ravidas Express. These initiatives are designed to bolster regional connectivity and introduce sustainable technology to the Indian rail network.
- India’s first hydrogen train will operate between Jind and Sonipat.
- The Sant Ravidas Express (Vande Bharat Sleeper) will connect Cheharta (Punjab) with Varanasi.
- Inaugural special trains 04506, 04686, and 04410 are scheduled to begin operations.
- A new railway station in Jalandhar will also be inaugurated by the Prime Minister.
The Sant Ravidas Express Vande Bharat Sleeper
The new Sant Ravidas Express (14624/14623) is a significant addition for passengers traveling between Punjab and Uttar Pradesh. The train will operate three times a week, departing Cheharta on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays, and returning from Varanasi on Thursdays, Saturdays, and Mondays. The inaugural service, train number 04686, is scheduled to depart Jalandhar Cantt at 3:40 PM on July 17, reaching Varanasi at 12:15 PM the following day. Key stops along this route include Ludhiana, Ambala Cantt, Saharanpur, Moradabad, Bareilly, Lucknow, and Jaunpur City.
India’s First Hydrogen-Powered Train
In a push toward greener mobility, Northern Railway is introducing an indigenous 10-coach hydrogen-powered train to run between Jind and Sonipat. This innovative service features a 1,200-kilowatt hydrogen propulsion system capable of reaching a maximum speed of 75 km/h. Covering an 89-kilometer route with 12 intermediate stops in approximately two hours, the train uses hydrogen fuel cells to generate power, emitting only water vapor. While the inaugural run is set for July 17, 2026, Northern Railway will announce the date for regular passenger services in due course.
Additional Inaugural Specials
Beyond the flagship projects, the Railway Board has approved the operation of several inaugural specials to facilitate smoother travel. These include train number 04506 (Kartarpur Punjab-Ambala Cantt Inaugural Special Express) and train number 04410 (Jind-Sonipat Inaugural Special Train). Himanshu Shekhar Upadhyay, Chief Public Relations Officer for Northern Railway, noted that these strategic additions reflect the railway’s commitment to enhancing passenger convenience and infrastructure efficiency across the northern region.