# Vande Bharat Sleeper: New overnight Varanasi-New Delhi train to be flagged off by CM Yogi and Rail Minister URL: https://kasba.co.in/en/story/vande-bharat-sleeper-new-overnight-varanasi-new-delhi-train Language: en · Section: Nation · Published: 2026-10-30 Source: PIB, "उत्तर प्रदेश के मुख्यमंत्री और रेल मंत्री कल वाराणसी से नई दिल्ली के बीच नई वंदे भारत स्लीपर ट्रेनों को हरी झंडी दिखाएंगे", 2026-10-30, https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=2330564 The Railway Ministry said CM Yogi Adityanath and Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw will flag off the new Varanasi-New Delhi Vande Bharat Sleeper service from Varanasi on 31 October. The overnight train is meant for pilgrims, students, tourists and working people travelling between eastern Uttar Pradesh and Delhi. ## What this means for you If you travel between Varanasi, Prayagraj, Kanpur, Aligarh or Ghaziabad and Delhi, this gives you a new overnight option that reaches the destination in the morning. The service will run six days a week. The notice does not give booking dates, fares or a regular start date, so check official railway sources for those. ## Key facts - The flag-off is on 31 October from Varanasi (the release is dated 30 October 2026). - The train leaves Varanasi at 8:50 pm and reaches New Delhi at 6:10 am the next day. - On return, it leaves New Delhi at 9:40 pm and reaches Varanasi at 7:10 am the next day. - It will pass through Prayagraj, Kanpur Central, Aligarh and Ghaziabad. - Compared with the existing Shiv Ganga Express, it saves 55 minutes from Varanasi to Delhi and 35 minutes from Delhi to Varanasi. - The service runs six days a week; the Varanasi-bound train will not run on Friday and the New Delhi-bound train will not run on Saturday. ## What has been announced According to a Railway Ministry release, Indian Railways is starting a new Vande Bharat Sleeper Express service between Varanasi and New Delhi. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw will flag off the service from Varanasi on 31 October. The release is dated 30 October 2026. ## Where the train will stop The train will run from Varanasi via Prayagraj, Kanpur Central, Aligarh and Ghaziabad to New Delhi. The release says these stations connect major urban centres and also give rail access to nearby districts. ## Timings The train will leave Varanasi at 8:50 pm and reach New Delhi at 6:10 am the next day. On the return journey, it will leave New Delhi at 9:40 pm and reach Varanasi at 7:10 am the next day. This lets passengers travel overnight and arrive in the morning. ## What changes for travellers The release says the Vande Bharat Sleeper will save 55 minutes on the Varanasi-New Delhi journey and 35 minutes on the New Delhi-Varanasi journey compared with the existing Shiv Ganga Express. The service will run six days a week. The train from Varanasi will not run on Friday and the train from New Delhi will not run on Saturday. ## Who benefits The release says the service will be especially useful for pilgrims, tourists, students, working people and families who often travel between eastern Uttar Pradesh and the National Capital Region. Varanasi draws pilgrims, domestic and foreign tourists and students through the year, and better overnight rail links with New Delhi will help those travelling for religious, educational, business, administrative and tourism purposes. ## Facilities on board The release says the Vande Bharat Sleeper has been designed for long overnight journeys. It lists features such as a regenerative braking system to save energy, arrangements to reduce noise inside coaches, CCTV cameras, emergency alarm push buttons, smoke and fire detection, and a train collision avoidance system (TCAS). For passengers, it mentions special berths and toilets for passengers with disabilities, space for luggage, charging sockets, Type-A and Type-C USB ports, Wi-Fi and vacuum toilets. According to the release, the first air-conditioned class will have shower facilities with hot water. ## What is not known yet The release does not say when bookings will open, what the fare will be, or from which date the train will run regularly. Check official railway sources or your station for those details. ## Questions and answers **What time does the Vande Bharat Sleeper leave Varanasi for New Delhi?** It leaves Varanasi at 8:50 pm and reaches New Delhi at 6:10 am the next day. On the return trip, it leaves New Delhi at 9:40 pm and reaches Varanasi at 7:10 am the next day. **Which stations will the Varanasi-New Delhi Vande Bharat Sleeper stop at?** According to the release, the train will run from Varanasi via Prayagraj, Kanpur Central, Aligarh and Ghaziabad to New Delhi. **How many days a week will the Vande Bharat Sleeper run?** The service will run six days a week. The train from Varanasi will not run on Friday and the train from New Delhi will not run on Saturday. **Is the Vande Bharat Sleeper faster than the Shiv Ganga Express?** Yes, the release says it will save 55 minutes on the Varanasi-New Delhi journey and 35 minutes on the New Delhi-Varanasi journey compared with the Shiv Ganga Express. **What facilities are on the Vande Bharat Sleeper train?** The release lists CCTV cameras, emergency alarm push buttons, smoke and fire detection, a train collision avoidance system (TCAS), special berths and toilets for passengers with disabilities, charging sockets and USB ports, Wi-Fi and vacuum toilets. Kasba Desk, Kasba. This routine notice was drafted with AI from an official source and published automatically; an editor reviews it after publishing.