UP is going to get its first Vande Bharat Sleeper Express: Varanasi-New Delhi train will run from October 31, know the route, timing, stoppage and fare.

A huge gift has come from Indian Railways for the railway passengers of Uttar Pradesh. After the tremendous success of normal Vande Bharat trains with Chair Car, now UP is going to get its first Vande Bharat Sleeper Express to make long distance and night travel comfortable. According to the schedule prepared by the Railways, this high-speed sleeper train will be operated between the religious city Varanasi (Kashi) and the country’s capital New Delhi. This premium train is set to be flagged off by Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnav on October 31. The biggest attraction of the train is its overnight time-table—that is, passengers will sleep on board the train at night and reach their destination in the morning. This will save precious days of thousands of businessmen, officials and common travelers of Purvanchal, Prayagraj and Kanpur.

This first sleeper Vande Bharat will run between Varanasi and New Delhi. Train No. 27421 / 27422 As notified. This train will run on the track 6 days a week (for maintenance, there will be no service from Varanasi on Saturday and from New Delhi on Friday). At present normal superfast trains take 11 to 14 hours to cover this distance, whereas Vande Bharat Sleeper takes only 8 to 9 hours I will decide.

According to the proposed timetable of Railways, the schedule of both the directions has been decided as follows:

• Train No. 27421 (Varanasi Cantt to New Delhi):

  
  

  • Varanasi Departure: 08:50 pm

  • Prayagraj Junction: Arrival at 10:35 pm (5 min stopover)

  • Kanpur Central: Arrival at 12:40 pm (5 min stopover)

  • New Delhi Arrival: Next morning at 05:55

• Train No. 27422 (New Delhi to Varanasi Cantt):

  
  

  • New Delhi Departure: 09:40 pm

  • Kanpur Central: Arrival late at 02:25 (5 min stopover)

  • Prayagraj Junction: Arrival at 04:45 am (5 min stopover)

  • Varanasi Cantt Arrival: 06:45 am

In initial operations this train has been provided with minimum stoppages to provide maximum semi-high speed and non-stop runs:

1. Varanasi Junction (originating/terminating station)

2. Prayagraj Junction

3. Kanpur Central

4. New Delhi (originating/ending station)

(Note: In view of the demand of passengers from Western UP Aligarh Junction A technical stoppage of two minutes is also being considered, which will be officially confirmed in the final notification).

Vande Bharat Sleeper rake will be fully air conditioned (Full AC) and will have 16 coaches, in which a total of 823 passengers The sleeping arrangements will be:

• Third AC (AC 3-Tier): 11 coach

• Second AC (AC 2-Tier): 4 coaches

• First AC (AC 1st Class): 1 coach

Primary maintenance of the train will be done at the carriage depot of Varanasi, while high-pressure watering arrangements will be made at Kanpur and Prayagraj stations en route.

Vande Bharat Sleeper fares are expected to be at a slight premium compared to the base fares of Rajdhani and Tejas Express because of the inclusion of luxury amenities like bullet trains and modern aircraft. The possible fare structure including food (Catering Charges) could be as follows:

• AC 3-Tier (Third AC): Around ₹2,200 to ₹2,400

• AC 2-Tier (Second AC): Around ₹2,900 to ₹3,200

• AC 1st Class: Approximately ₹3,600 to ₹4,000

Vande Bharat Sleeper offers world-class interiors as compared to conventional LHB sleeper coaches:

• Jerk-Free and Soundproof Ride: Due to semi-high speed automatic coupler technology, there are no jerks in the train and engine or track noise inside the coach is minimal.

• Berth with extra cushioning: Orthopedically designed foam mattresses have been installed for the comfort of passengers’ back and waist.

• Hot water shower in first AC: For the first time, hot-water shower facility has been provided for passengers in the first AC compartment of Indian trains.

• Sensor-Based Bio-Vacuum Toilets: Odor Control System with hi-tech toilets that provide touchless flush and water.

• Charging and reading lights at every berth: Independent convenience of personal USB/Type-C fast charging port, magazine holder and night reading lamp.

• KAVACH Protection System: Equipped with indigenous anti-collision technology ‘Kavach’ and state-of-the-art bogies capable of withstanding a speed of 160 km per hour.