Varanasi-Delhi Vande Bharat Sleeper Begins Operations Today

Marking a major breakthrough for high-speed overnight rail transit across Uttar Pradesh, the long-awaited Varanasi–New Delhi Vande Bharat Sleeper Express officially hits the tracks on Saturday, October 31, 2026. The advanced semi-high-speed service brings seamless, fatigue-free overnight travel to passengers commuting between Kanpur, Delhi, and Varanasi. Following its ceremonial launch from Varanasi Junction earlier in the day, the inaugural special train (Train Number 02527) will pull into Kanpur Central Railway Station at 8:05 PM tonight, where local leadership and railway authorities have finalized elaborate arrangements for a public civic reception.Grand Reception at Kanpur Central: MPs Ramesh Awasthi and Devendra Singh Bhole to Lead EventThe ceremonial flag-off will be performed jointly from Varanasi by Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. As the state-of-the-art 16-coach rake glides into Kanpur Central on its inaugural run, a delegation of public representatives—including Members of Parliament Ramesh Awasthi and Devendra Singh Bhole, along with local Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) and senior North Central Railway officials—will be present on the platform to extend a formal civic reception and greet onboard crew and commuters.Regular Overnight Schedule: Stoppages and Timings at Kanpur CentralFollowing the completion of the inaugural run, the semi-high-speed express will transition directly into its regular commercial timetable, operating six days a week on both the up and down lines. Train Number 27421, departing Varanasi Junction at 8:50 PM, will halt at Prayagraj before arriving at Kanpur Central at 12:40 AM past midnight. Following a brief five-minute operational stop, it departs at 12:45 AM, speeding through Aligarh and Ghaziabad to pull into New Delhi Railway Station by 6:10 AM the following morning. On the return corridor, Train Number 27422 will leave New Delhi at 9:40 PM, arriving at Kanpur Central at 2:45 AM, departing at 2:50 AM after its five-minute halt, and terminating at Varanasi Junction at 7:10 AM.16 Fully Air-Conditioned Coaches Engineered for Seamless Overnight ComfortSpecifically configured to deliver an upgraded long-distance overnight experience, the train carries a total seating and sleeping capacity of 823 passengers. The 16-coach formation features 11 Third AC coaches, 4 Second AC coaches, and 1 exclusive First AC coach, omitting unreserved general bogies to maintain strict onboard security and calm. With specialized jerk-free suspension engineering, automated doors, noise dampeners, and ergonomic berths, the train offers Kanpur business travelers, tourists, and daily commuters a reliable, modern link to both the national capital and the holy city of Kashi.