Varanasi-New Delhi Vande Bharat Sleeper to Launch Oct 31
The second Vande Bharat Sleeper Express between Varanasi and New Delhi launches Oct 31, featuring luxury AC coaches and advanced KAVACH safety.
The landscape of overnight travel between Uttar Pradesh and the national capital is set for a major upgrade. The second Vande Bharat Sleeper Express, connecting the holy city of Varanasi with New Delhi, is scheduled to be inaugurated on October 31.
In a significant ceremony, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath are expected to jointly launch the service. This new addition to the fleet marks a major step in Indian Railways' push for high-speed, premium long-distance connectivity.
Route Details and Key Stops
The Railway Board has officially approved the operation of this new service under train numbers 27421 and 27422. Designed to cater to commuters and travelers across the region, the train will provide essential connectivity with stops at several key locations:
- Prayagraj
- Kanpur Central
- Aligarh
- Ghaziabad
Next-Gen Comfort: Capacity and Amenities
Developed under the Make in India initiative, the Vande Bharat Sleeper is a 16-coach, self-propelled, air-conditioned train specifically engineered for long-distance overnight journeys. It is built for both speed and stability, featuring a tested speed of 180 kmph and an operational speed of 160 kmph.
To accommodate a wide range of passengers, the train offers a total of 823 berths distributed across different classes:
- First AC: 24 berths
- AC 2-Tier: 188 berths
- AC 3-Tier: 611 berths
Passenger convenience is further enhanced by modern amenities, including 52 vacuum toilets, sealed gangways, and mini-pantries to ensure a smooth experience during overnight transit.
Advanced Safety and Green Technology
Safety is at the core of this new generation of trains. The Vande Bharat Sleeper complies with international standards, including EN 15227 for crashworthiness and EN 45545 HL3 for fire safety. To ensure maximum security, the train is equipped with:
- The indigenous KAVACH train protection system
- Continuous CCTV surveillance
- Advanced fire-suppression systems
Additionally, the train incorporates regenerative braking technology, which improves energy efficiency and supports Indian Railways' ongoing efforts toward modernizing and greening the passenger rail network.