Passengers travelling between western Uttar Pradesh and eastern Uttar Pradesh are set to benefit from Indian Railways’ latest decision to extend the Meerut–Lucknow Vande Bharat Express up to Ayodhya and Varanasi. The move has not only cut down on travel complexity but also brought major religious and cultural hubs closer, strengthening both passenger convenience and regional connectivity.
Railway officials confirmed that the upgraded service began operations this week, departing Meerut City station at 6:35 am on its first extended journey to Varanasi. The train now covers 783 km, compared to its earlier 459 km stretch between Meerut and Lucknow. With halts at Lucknow and Ayodhya, the Vande Bharat Express now reaches Varanasi by 6:25 pm, allowing devotees and daily passengers alike to enjoy faster and more direct travel.The service received an encouraging response on its inaugural day. Over 230 passengers booked tickets, with nearly 50 travellers heading to Ayodhya and over 20 to Varanasi. This was a notable improvement compared to earlier occupancy levels when the train ran largely underutilised on the Meerut–Lucknow sector. Railway authorities said this positive reception was a strong indicator of latent demand along the new route.
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Transport analysts note that this expansion reflects Railways’ broader strategy of positioning Vande Bharat trains not merely as premium high-speed services but as enablers of regional growth. Linking Meerut with two of India’s most visited pilgrimage centresAyodhya and Varanasi creates opportunities for tourism, small businesses, and cultural exchange. It also promotes sustainable intercity travel by reducing dependence on private vehicles and buses, helping cut overall emissions on these heavily used corridors.Officials explained that extending the Vande Bharat service was a cost-efficient move since the route already had operational demand and existing infrastructure. Unlike flights, which are costlier and less accessible, this rail service provides a low-carbon alternative that meets both urban and semi-urban mobility needs. Industry experts believe this could serve as a model for replicating similar expansions in other corridors where religious and cultural demand fuels high passenger volumes.
Passengers expressed relief that the extension now allows direct access from Meerut to Ayodhya’s Ram Mandir and Varanasi’s Kashi Vishwanath Temple. Earlier, travellers were forced to change trains at Lucknow, causing delays and inconvenience. Now, the journey is seamless, comfortable, and more time-efficient, making rail travel competitive against road transport.While the success of the extended service depends on sustained demand, early indicators suggest a significant turnaround in occupancy rates. If the trend continues, it may encourage Indian Railways to roll out similar route extensions, enhancing connectivity in an eco-friendly and equitable manner.
