Prime Minister Narendra Modi virtually flagged off the new Chheharta–Varanasi Express on July 17, 2026, marking a significant milestone in rail connectivity between Punjab and Uttar Pradesh. Also referred to as the Sant Ravidas Express or Seer Goverdhanpur Express, this tri-weekly service fulfills a long-standing demand from the Ravidassia community for direct access to the birthplace of Sant Guru Ravidas Ji in Varanasi.
Key highlights of the new service include:
- Tri-weekly operations connecting Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh.
- Direct link to Seer Goverdhanpur in Varanasi.
- Modern 18-coach train rake equipped with safety and comfort features.
- Significant reduction in travel time between key northern cities.
Schedule and Connectivity
Regular operations for Train 14624 (Chheharta to Varanasi) commenced on July 19, 2026, with departures scheduled every Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday. The train departs Chheharta at 2:05 PM and reaches Varanasi Junction at 12:15 PM the following day, covering a distance of 1139 kilometers in 22 hours and 10 minutes.
Conversely, Train 14623 (Varanasi to Chheharta) began services on July 20, 2026, operating every Thursday, Saturday, and Monday. It departs Varanasi at 7:05 PM and arrives in Chheharta at 5:10 PM the next day. The route passes through major commercial and transit hubs, including Amritsar, Jalandhar City, Ludhiana, Ambala Cantt, Saharanpur, Moradabad, Bareilly, Shahjahanpur, Lucknow, Sultanpur, and Jaunpur City.
Modern Amenities and Coach Composition
Designed for passenger comfort, the 18-coach train is fitted with bio-vacuum toilets, ergonomic berths, and CCTV surveillance to ensure a safe and pleasant journey. The train composition is thoughtfully designed to cater to diverse passenger needs, featuring one 2-Tier AC coach, two 3-Tier AC coaches, seven Sleeper class coaches, six Second-class General coaches, and one dedicated coach for persons with disabilities. The introduction of this service, approved by the Railway Board on July 8, 2026, is set to boost both religious tourism and business travel across the northern corridor, providing a seamless travel experience for thousands of pilgrims and daily commuters.