Indian Railways is set to launch a Vande Bharat sleeper service between Varanasi and New Delhi on 31 October, creating a new overnight rail connection for passengers travelling between eastern Uttar Pradesh, major cities in the state and the national capital. The inaugural service will stop at Prayagraj, Kanpur, Aligarh and Ghaziabad.
The service will be inaugurated from Varanasi railway station on Saturday as inauguration special train number 02527, according to Dr Shivam Sharma, chief public relations officer of North Central Railway. The train will operate under the Banaras–New Delhi Vande Bharat sleeper service designation for the inaugural journey.
The special train is scheduled to depart from Banaras station at 4.15 pm. It will reach Prayagraj at 6 pm and Kanpur Central at 8.05 pm. The train is scheduled to arrive at Aligarh at 11.20 pm and depart two minutes later at 11.22 pm. It will reach Ghaziabad at 1.10 am before arriving at New Delhi station at 2 am.
The route will connect Varanasi, also known as Kashi, with Prayagraj, Kanpur, Aligarh and Ghaziabad before terminating in New Delhi. The North Central Railway statement described the service as a new rail option for passengers travelling from the religious, administrative and industrial centres along the corridor to the national capital.
The launch is significant for Uttar Pradesh because the service is being described as the state’s first Vande Bharat sleeper train. Unlike daytime Vande Bharat services, the sleeper configuration is intended for longer journeys where passengers travel overnight. The source report describes the train as having 16 coaches and cites a top speed of up to 180 kilometres per hour in its headline and summary. Its detailed account, however, refers to a speed of 160 kilometres per hour. Railway operating speeds and the final timetable may therefore depend on the route’s operational conditions.
The reported fare structure has not yet been publicly announced by the railway authorities. Media reports citing railway sources have indicated fares of ₹1,819.20 for 3AC, ₹2,349.80 for 2AC and ₹2,880.40 for 1AC. These figures should not be treated as confirmed passenger fares until Indian Railways or the relevant railway zone publishes the booking details.
The service adds another rail option between Varanasi and Delhi, a corridor that links major population centres, employment destinations and commercial hubs. Its practical impact for passengers will depend on the regular operating timetable, ticket availability, confirmed fares and the journey time offered after the inaugural special service. The railway authorities’ next operational step is the scheduled inauguration of train number 02527 from Banaras station on 31 October.
