India Launches Vande Bharat Sleeper Express for New Delhi-Varanasi Route

Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath will jointly inaugurate the second Vande Bharat Sleeper Express on October 31. The new service connects New Delhi and Varanasi, operating under train numbers 27421 and 27422 with scheduled stops at Ghaziabad, Aligarh, Kanpur Central, and Prayagraj.

Developed under the Make in India initiative, the 16-coach air-conditioned train is designed for long-distance overnight travel. It features 823 berths across First AC, AC 2-Tier, and AC 3-Tier classes. The train has an operational speed of 160 kmph and has been tested up to 180 kmph.

Safety specifications include the indigenous KAVACH train protection system and CCTV surveillance. The fleet adheres to EN 15227 crashworthiness and EN 45545 HL3 fire-safety standards. The operation was approved by the Railway Board.