Overview
- The new services connect Banaras–Khajuraho, Lucknow–Saharanpur, Firozpur–Delhi and Ernakulam–Bengaluru, extending India’s semi‑high‑speed network.
- Indian Railways and Southern Railway state that Firozpur–Delhi will cover the route in 6 hours 40 minutes and Ernakulam–Bengaluru in 8 hours 40 minutes, with the latter trimming more than two hours.
- Officials say Lucknow–Saharanpur will take about 7 hours 45 minutes with roughly an hour saved, while Banaras–Khajuraho is expected to cut about 2 hours 40 minutes and link major cultural sites.
- A Railway Board note lists the Firozpur–Delhi service as 22462/61 starting at Ferozepur Cantt, stopping at Faridkot, Bathinda, Dhuri, Patiala, Ambala Cantt, Kurukshetra and Panipat, running six days a week except Wednesday with primary maintenance at Ferozepur.
- PM Narendra Modi framed the rollout as a ‘festival of development’ tied to infrastructure‑led growth and rising pilgrim footfalls, with more than 160 Vande Bharat trains now in operation; IRCTC listing and fare details are yet to be announced.