Prime Minister Narendra Modi virtually inaugurated the new Sant Ravidas Express on July 17, 2026, marking a major milestone for interstate rail connectivity. The service, which connects Chheharta in Amritsar to the holy city of Varanasi, was flagged off during a ceremony in Jalandhar, where the Prime Minister also inaugurated a new railway station. This new route is expected to significantly boost tourism and pilgrimage travel, specifically catering to those visiting the birthplace of Guru Ravidas in Seer Govardhanpur.
- Train Numbers: 14624 (Chheharta to Varanasi) and 14623 (Varanasi to Chheharta).
- Frequency: Three days a week.
- Distance: The train covers a total of 1,048.33 km.
- Composition: 18 coaches including AC, sleeper, general, and disabled-friendly carriages.
- Key Halts: Amritsar, Jalandhar, Ludhiana, Ambala Cantt, Saharanpur, Moradabad, Bareilly, Shahjahanpur, Lucknow, Sultanpur, and Jaunpur City.
Schedule and Operational Details
Train number 14624 is scheduled to depart from Chheharta every Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday at 2:05 PM, reaching Varanasi at 12:15 PM the following day. For the return journey, train number 14623 will depart from Varanasi every Thursday, Saturday, and Monday at 7:05 PM, arriving back at Chheharta at 5:10 PM the next day. The inaugural run of this service officially commenced from Jalandhar Cantt at 3:40 PM.
Passenger Comfort and Safety
The 18-coach express train is designed to provide a modern travel experience for long-distance passengers. The train composition includes three AC coaches (two AC 3-tier and one AC 2-tier), seven second-class 3-tier sleeper coaches, six second-class general coaches, and one coach specifically equipped for persons with disabilities. Passengers will benefit from modern amenities such as ergonomic berths, bio-vacuum toilets, and comprehensive CCTV surveillance for enhanced safety.
Railway officials have confirmed that this service addresses a long-standing demand from the public, providing a direct and comfortable rail link for the Ravidassia community to travel between Punjab and Uttar Pradesh. The introduction of this express train is a testament to the ongoing efforts of the Indian Railways to improve connectivity across northern India.