Sunita Somvanshi
Reports are circulating on Hindi news outlets that Indian Railways is preparing to launch a second Vande Bharat Sleeper service between Delhi and Varanasi before Diwali. Here is what the official record currently supports — and where the gap is.
Several Hindi-language outlets including Jagran, Amar Ujala and Live Hindustan reported in the past 48 hours that a second Vande Bharat Sleeper would operate on the Delhi–Varanasi route, with a proposed departure from Varanasi Cantt at 9:20pm, stopping at Prayagraj Jn at 10:45pm, Kanpur Central at 12:35am, and arriving New Delhi at 5am. Reported speed is 130–160 km/h across 16 coaches with 823 passenger capacity. A pre-Diwali launch was the stated target. Trial runs were described as expected in September.
The official position from Indian Railways and the Press Information Bureau is different. As of the most recent PIB release available, the first Vande Bharat Sleeper service in regular operation is the Howrah–Kamakhya route, which began service on January 22, 2026. An April 2026 PIB release confirmed the Howrah–Kamakhya service had carried 1.21 lakh passengers in its first three months. Neither of these releases establishes the existence of an approved Delhi–Varanasi Vande Bharat Sleeper schedule.
If you’re planning Diwali travel between Delhi and Varanasi, the second Vande Bharat sleeper is not bookable yet. Trial runs have been reported in Hindi media but not confirmed by an official Railways announcement. The proposed schedule is 9:20pm from Varanasi, 5am into New Delhi. Wait for the official launch date before changing your travel plans.
What the media reports describe — the route, timings, stops and coach configuration — are consistent with how Indian Railways has announced previous Vande Bharat rollouts. But consistency with a pattern is not confirmation of a specific launch.
The practical travel comparison also matters for passengers considering this route. Varanasi to New Delhi at 9:20pm–5am is 7 hours 40 minutes. Existing services on the corridor vary in their timings; passengers should compare specific trains on the IRCTC portal when making booking decisions.
When will the Delhi–Varanasi Vande Bharat Sleeper start?
No official launch date has been announced by Indian Railways or the Press Information Bureau. Hindi media sources have reported a pre-Diwali 2026 target and described September trial runs. The proposed schedule has Varanasi Cantt departure at 9:20pm, arriving New Delhi at 5am with stops at Prayagraj and Kanpur Central. Fare and booking information will be released by IRCTC closer to any confirmed launch date.
The distinction here is between what is being reported and what has been formally announced. For a booking decision — especially around Diwali, when trains fill months in advance — base your plans on the confirmed timetable available on the Indian Railways/IRCTC booking portal rather than reported launch targets. This article will be updated when an official announcement is made.
