Vande Bharat Express trains have completed approximately 1 lakh trips and served over 9.1 crore passengers since their initial launch. In the financial year 2025-26 alone, about 3.98 crore passengers traveled using these trains. This represents a significant growth of nearly 34 percent compared to the 2.97 crore passengers recorded in the previous financial year. The data shared by the Ministry of Railways highlights the increasing preference for these modern trains across India.
Which Vande Bharat routes recorded the highest demand?
The New Delhi to Varanasi corridor continues to be the busiest route in the network with over 73 lakh passengers. Significant passenger volumes have also been observed on routes connecting major cities and pilgrimage sites. The demand for these services remains high due to reduced travel time and improved amenities for the common traveler.
| Route Name | Passenger Count |
|---|---|
| New Delhi – Varanasi | 73 Lakh |
| New Delhi – Katra | 56 Lakh |
| Secunderabad – Visakhapatnam | 48 Lakh |
| Chennai – Mysuru | 36 Lakh |
Updates on the new Vande Bharat Sleeper trains
The Ministry of Railways confirmed the success of the sleeper service introduced between Howrah and Kamakhya. This route saw more than 1.2 lakh passengers in just three months with occupancy exceeding 100 percent. A new Vande Bharat Sleeper service between Mumbai and Bengaluru received official approval and is scheduled for a late 2026 launch. Railway officials are also working on a prototype for new sleeper trains that will undergo testing within the next year. Furthermore, AI technology and high-resolution cameras are now being used on these trains to improve security and monitor stone-pelting incidents along the tracks.