New Delhi, October 24 — Travel between Varanasi and New Delhi is set to become faster and more comfortable, with Indian Railways preparing to launch the country's second Vande Bharat Sleeper Express on October 31, The Daily Jagran reported. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw are expected to flag off the service at a ceremony in Varanasi.

Source: The Daily Jagran

Mid-Day also reported that Railway preparations for the proposed Varanasi–New Delhi sleeper service have intensified and that a special inaugural train could leave Varanasi at around 11 am on October 31. It noted that final official confirmation of the inauguration programme and of regular operations is yet to come from the Railway Ministry — so the date and timings should be read as proposed, not confirmed.

Source: Mid-Day

Oct 31, 2026Expected flag-off date in Varanasi (awaiting final official confirmation)
27421 / 27422Proposed train numbers, Varanasi–New Delhi and return
8:50 pm – 5:55 amProposed overnight timing, Varanasi to New Delhi (yaani about 9 hours)
6 days a weekProposed frequency, excluding Saturdays

Under the proposed timetable reported by The Daily Jagran, train 27421 would depart Varanasi at 8:50 pm, reach Prayagraj Junction at 10:35 pm and Kanpur Central at 12:40 am, and arrive in New Delhi at 5:55 am. The return train 27422 would leave New Delhi at 9:40 pm and reach Varanasi at 6:45 am, stopping at the same four junctions: Varanasi, Prayagraj, Kanpur Central and New Delhi.

Source: The Daily Jagran

The service would be India's second Vande Bharat sleeper, after the Howrah–Kamakhya service launched in January, and would add a premium overnight option on one of the country's busiest rail corridors, alongside existing trains such as the Shivganga Express and Prayagraj Express.

Source: The Daily Jagran