Uttar Pradesh's first Sleeper Vande Bharat Express is set to begin regular operations between Varanasi and New Delhi from today, offering passengers a new option for overnight travel. The train was flagged off on October 31 by Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. Operating as Train No. 27421, the service will depart from Varanasi's Cantt railway station at 8:50 PM on all days except Friday. It will cover the distance to New Delhi in approximately 9 hours and 20 minutes, passing through Prayagraj, Kanpur, Aligarh and Ghaziabad. The new service has been designed to provide a comfortable overnight journey with modern facilities.

Route, Departure Schedule and Ticket Prices
According to the announced timetable, the train will reach Prayagraj at 10:35 PM, Kanpur Central at 12:40 AM and Aligarh at 3:55 AM. It will arrive at Ghaziabad at 5:23 AM before reaching New Delhi at 6:10 AM. The journey will take around 9 hours and 20 minutes, approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes longer than the Chair Car Vande Bharat service. The ticket prices from Varanasi to New Delhi have been fixed at ₹1,915 for Third AC, ₹2,470 for Second AC and ₹3,030 for First AC. Compared with the Sleeper Vande Bharat, the Shiv Ganga Express has lower reported fares, with Third AC costing ₹1,170, Second AC ₹1,640 and First AC ₹2,725.

Fully Air-Conditioned Coaches and Passenger Facilities
The Sleeper Vande Bharat has been developed specifically for long-distance overnight journeys, with an emphasis on passenger comfort and safety. The train consists of 16 fully air-conditioned coaches, including 11 Third AC coaches, four Second AC coaches and one First AC coach. It has been designed for a maximum speed of 180 kmph. The new service is reportedly witnessing strong demand, with tickets across all classes booked until Diwali, according to the information provided. Its launch is expected to offer passengers travelling between eastern Uttar Pradesh and the national capital another premium overnight rail option.