Vande Bharat Express News

Vande Bharat Express: The Vande Bharat trains are liked by passengers across India, and they have brought a joy and pride to the rail passengers in India. First, the Vande Bharat chair car trains, and then the Vande Bharat sleeper - both trains have transformed medium to long-distance travel in India. With passenger amenities getting a boost, the railways has turned its focus on revenue side with freight operations as well. According to a report in the Metro Rail India, the success of Vande Bharat passenger trains have ignited the preparations for high-speed cargo transport via Indian Railways.

India's Fastest Train: Indian Railways has been upgrading its trains, not only modernising the interior but also the shell and engines. Right from the introduction of new LHB coaches to the roll-out of new trains like Tejas, Hamsafar, Vande Bharat, Amrit Bharat, Antyodaya Express, UDAY Express, and Gatiman Express. While trains like Rajdhani changed people’s experience with punctuality, the modern Vande Bharat Express is changing the way people used to see Indian Railways.  

India's fastest trains in 2026: If you love speed and modern travel, here’s a look at the top 5 fastest trains in India in 2026 that are redefining rail journeys across the country. Several high-speed and semi-high-speed trains are setting new records in India for efficiency and performance. The fastest trains among them can reach speeds of up to 180 km/h. Among these, the Vande Bharat Express, also known as Train-18, can reach 180 km/h and operates at 160 km/h on approved routes. The Gatimaan Express runs between Hazrat Nizamuddin and Agra at 160 km/h. The Tejas Express is designed for 150 km/h and is known for its premium interiors. The Bhopal Shatabdi Express is known for its high average speed, while the Mumbai–New Delhi Rajdhani Express is one of the fastest long-distance trains, operating at 140 km/h.

India is set to receive its first Bullet Train by August 15, 2027, with the Mumbai-Ahmedabad high-speed rail project nearing completion and expected to cut travel time between the two cities to around two hours.

Indian travellers prioritise speed, comfort and reliability. For years, the Shatabdi Express has set the standard for premium intercity travel, known for its smooth and dependable service. Now, the Vande Bharat has transformed the landscape, offering a modern journey with its sleek design and advanced features. Both trains aim to provide convenience and efficiency, yet the experience they offer differs significantly. From comfortable dining and onboard facilities to journey time and overall ambience, each caters to distinct expectations. So, which one truly offers the superior travel experience? Let’s delve into the details and find out.

'Heritage' Vande Bharat Express Trains: In a major push to promote tourism and improve travel convenience, Indian Railways has been rolling out several Vande Bharat Express trains connecting major Indian cities, including iconic heritage and pilgrimage cities. Offering faster travel and modern onboard facilities, these trains have been enhancing connectivity across key cultural corridors. Recently PM Narendra Modi launched four new Vande Bharat Express trains, including two linking heritage cities like Lucknow and Khajuraho. Here are SEVEN Vande Bharat Express that take you to the heritage cities of India:

PM Modi New Vande Bharat launch: The new Vande Bharat Express trains will operate on the Banaras–Khajuraho, Lucknow–Saharanpur, Firozpur–Delhi, and Ernakulam–Bengaluru routes.

The Vande Bharat sleeper variant of the Vande Bharat series is being designed to cater to overnight and long-distance routes, expanding on the existing chair-car-only configuration. 

Four New Vande Bharat Routes Details: In a major boost to its semi-high-speed rail network, Indian Railways is set to launch four additional Vande Bharat Express trains, further strengthening connectivity across multiple states. The expansion is aimed at improving passenger convenience, cutting travel time, and offering a modern, comfortable travel experience. Once these new routes become operational, the total number of Vande Bharat Express services will rise to 164 across the country. The newly approved trains have been allotted to Karnataka, Kerala, Punjab, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, and Delhi.

New Vande Bharat Coming Soon? The train in the black livery shown in the video has drawn widespread attention for its striking appearance, reminiscent of the classic Rajdhani Express design with its large windows and aerodynamic finish.

Diwali-Chhath Vande Bharat Special: Two new Vande Bharat trains will operate from October 11 to November 17, 2025, ensuring smooth connectivity between Delhi and Patna.

Uttar Pradesh currently operates 14 Vande Bharat Express trains, connecting over 20 cities and making it the state with the most extensive Vande Bharat network. Kerala currently has two Vande Bharat Express.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate two new trains for Bihar's Saharsa district on Monday, September 15, giving a major boost to rail connectivity in the region. 

India's Fastest Trains: India boasts of one of the largest rail networks in the world. The Indian Railways runs thousands of trains per day carrying millions of passengers daily. Over the last few years, Indian Railways has undergone several structural reforms and renovations. Several new trains have made their way to the railway's arsenal and the modern fleet today boasts of luxurious Vande Bharat Express. While a train’s maximum permissible or design speed often grabs headlines, the more realistic measure of performance is its average speed—how fast it runs on its route after accounting for stops, slowdowns, and track conditions. Below are some of India’s fastest passenger trains when measured by their average speeds:  

New Vande Bharat Trains: Poll-bound Bihar is set to receive a major boost in rail connectivity with the addition of two new Vande Bharat Express trains, if reports are to be believed. Both Vande Bharat trains will originate from Patna, with detailed route plans already drawn up. While the schedules are yet to be finalised, the services are expected to begin later this year. People are also expecting the Narendra Modi government to announce the modern Vande Bharat sleeper for Bihar.

Fastest Vande Bharat Trains: Indian Railways has modernised intercity travel by introducing Vande Bharat Express trains. The Vande Bharat Express is a fully air-conditioned Chair Car train that runs on medium-distance routes. The train has been popular due to its luxury offerings like onboard attendants, food quality and semi-high speed travel. At present, a total of 75 Vande Bharat Trains are running across India, making 150 trips (75 up and down each). The train was developed by the Indian Railways' Integral Coach Factory (ICF) based in Chennai and since its first introduction in 2019, it has set a new benchmark for railway travel. 

Longest Vande Bharat Express: On August 10, Prime Minister Narendra Modi virtually flagged off the Ajni (Nagpur)–Pune Vande Bharat Express, along with two other premium trains, marking another step forward in India’s high-speed rail network. Operated by Indian Railways, this new service stands out for covering the longest route of any Vande Bharat train in the country.

The Vande Bharat Express, being 11th in the Southern state, fulfils the long-pending demand for premium train service between Bengaluru and Belagavi and is set to give new momentum to seamless connectivity between the two cities.

India's First Bullet Train: Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw highlighted the nation's progress, saying that during the last 11 years, 34,000 km of new railway tracks have been installed under the PM Narendra Modi administration, averaging almost 12 km per day. 

The Indian Railways has introduced multiple Vande Bharat Express Trains on several routes across India. The Vande Bharat trains have been in demand due to their amenities. The fully air-conditioned trains offer not only a faster ride but also onboard luxury that matches flight services. Over 138 Vande Bharat trains are in service at present, and 100 more are in the pipeline. Here, we are sharing a list of the longest Vande Bharat routes and fares: