Varanasi, November 8 — It’s a journey that once took nearly nine hours. Now, the people of Punjab’s border district of Ferozpur will reach New Delhi in just six hours and forty minutes — thanks to the newly launched Ferozpur-Delhi Vande Bharat Express.
The service was among four new semi-high-speed trains flagged off by Prime Minister Narendra Modi from Varanasi on Saturday, expanding India’s fleet of Vande Bharat Expresses to more than 160. “Vande Bharat is not just a train — it’s a symbol of a faster, modern India that connects hearts, regions, and opportunities,” the Prime Minister said at the launch.
Operating six days a week, the train will leave Ferozpur Cantt at 7:55 a.m. and reach the national capital by 2:35 p.m., halting at Bathinda, Dhuri, Patiala, Ambala Cantt, Kurukshetra, and Panipat. The return service departs New Delhi at 4:00 p.m. and reaches Ferozpur by 10:35 p.m.
Manufactured at Chennai’s Integral Coach Factory, the eight-coach Vande Bharat is equipped with automatic doors, Wi-Fi, reclining seats, and bio-toilets. Its top speed of 160 kmph will help transport not just passengers but also the region’s agricultural and industrial aspirations.
“This is a long-awaited gift for Punjab,” said a railway official. “It will save over two hours of travel time and ease pressure on existing trains like the Shatabdi Express.”
For many in Ferozpur, this is more than just convenience — it’s connection. Traders expect better access to Delhi’s markets, while students and professionals foresee easier commutes. The route will also support the movement of goods vital to border security and Punjab’s farm economy.
The launch comes alongside three other Vande Bharat services: Banaras–Khajuraho, Lucknow–Saharanpur, and Ernakulam–Bengaluru — each designed to link major regional hubs more efficiently.
The Banaras–Khajuraho Express will connect two heritage centers in 7 hours 40 minutes, catering to pilgrims and tourists. The Lucknow–Saharanpur train will reduce travel time for students and traders across Uttar Pradesh, while the Ernakulam–Bengaluru link will serve tech professionals and businesses along the southern corridor.
Each of the four routes, railway officials said, has been selected for its strategic value — improving regional connectivity, trade, and mobility.
With these additions, the Vande Bharat fleet now reaches nearly every major region of India. As the white-and-blue train rolled out from Varanasi, its symbolic hum echoed the message the Prime Minister underlined: “Speed with service — that’s the new spirit of India.”
