Second Vande Bharat Sleeper Set for Varanasi-Delhi Route: 8-Hour Overnight Travel

Following the operational debut and enthusiastic commuter reception of India’s maiden sleeper train along the Howrah-Kamakhya corridor, Indian Railways is accelerating preparations to roll out the country’s second Vande Bharat Express sleeper service. Specifically engineered to revolutionize long-distance overnight rail transit, this flagship semi-high-speed rake will bridge the cultural capital of Varanasi with the national capital of New Delhi. Designed to cruise at operational speeds reaching up to 130 km/h, the state-of-the-art overnight train will slash transit times between the two premier North Indian hubs to approximately 8 hours, delivering an unprecedented mix of high speed, aerodynamic stability, and modern passenger comfort.

Proposed Overnight Timetable: Departure from Varanasi and Delhi at 9:20 PM

According to initial scheduling blueprints formulated by railway operational divisions, the Vande Bharat Sleeper will maintain an identical bilateral night-run protocol between both termini. The train is slated to pull out of Varanasi Cantt Railway Station at 9:20 PM, completing its high-speed corridor run to pull into New Delhi Railway Station by approximately 5:00 AM the following morning. Operating on an identical mirrored turnaround, the return rake will depart New Delhi at 9:20 PM, reaching Varanasi Cantt at 5:00 AM. This precise 8-hour overnight transit presents an optimal solution for corporate executives, pilgrims, and tourists, allowing commuters to cover the entire intercity expanse during nocturnal resting hours without consuming daytime business schedules.

800-Berth Capacity Across 16 Coaches: September Speed Trials Ahead of Diwali Launch

The upcoming Vande Bharat Sleeper train is configured with a 16-coach aerodynamic rake designed to accommodate roughly 800 overnight passengers. The modular layout incorporates 11 AC 3-Tier coaches, 4 AC 2-Tier coaches, and 1 exclusive First Class AC coach, featuring enhanced ergonomic berths, sound-dampened interiors, automatic sensor-operated vestibules, and modular bio-vacuum restrooms. High-speed operational trials along the Varanasi-New Delhi arterial rail corridor are slated to commence within September, laying the groundwork for a formal commercial launch projected ahead of the festive Diwali rush, while official fare charts and final route halts remain under concluding ministerial review.