Second Vande Bharat Sleeper Train Likely on Delhi-Varanasi Route; Prayagraj Stop, Route and Timings Explained
Indian Railways is preparing to introduce its second Vande Bharat Sleeper train, with the proposed service connecting New Delhi and Varanasi via Kanpur and Prayagraj. Unlike the existing daytime chair-car Vande Bharat services on the corridor, the proposed sleeper train is designed for overnight travel.
According to reports published on September 18, 2026, railway authorities are targeting an introduction around Diwali, although the final launch date and timetable are still subject to approval. The proposed service would give passengers travelling between Delhi, Prayagraj, Kanpur and Varanasi a new overnight premium rail option.
Importantly, the timings currently circulating are proposed timings, not a final timetable notified for regular passenger service.
Delhi-Varanasi Vande Bharat Sleeper: Proposed Route
The proposed Vande Bharat Sleeper would operate between Varanasi Cantt and New Delhi, passing through two major stations:
- Varanasi Cantt
- Prayagraj
- Kanpur Central
- New Delhi
This makes Prayagraj a key intermediate stop on the proposed overnight route.
The route is particularly significant because Prayagraj and Kanpur are major passenger hubs between eastern Uttar Pradesh and the national capital. The sleeper configuration would allow passengers to travel overnight rather than spending the day on a chair-car train.
Vande Bharat Sleeper Timing: What Is Proposed?
The proposed timetable indicates that the train could leave Varanasi Cantt at around 9:20 PM and reach New Delhi at approximately 5:00 AM the following morning.
On the journey towards Delhi, the proposed timings are:
| Station | Proposed Time |
|---|---|
| Varanasi Cantt | 9:20 PM departure |
| Prayagraj | 10:45 PM |
| Kanpur Central | 12:35 AM |
| New Delhi | 5:00 AM |
For the return journey, the train is proposed to depart New Delhi at 9:20 PM and reach Varanasi at around 5:00 AM the next morning.
The exact halt duration and final schedule could change before commercial operations begin.
Prayagraj Passengers to Get an Overnight Option
The proposed Prayagraj stoppage is one of the most important aspects of the new service.
Passengers travelling from Prayagraj towards Delhi would potentially be able to board around 10:45 PM and arrive in the national capital early the next morning. Similarly, passengers travelling from Delhi towards Prayagraj would have an overnight option instead of using a daytime Vande Bharat service.
For business travellers, students and passengers who prefer to save daytime travel hours, an overnight sleeper service can be particularly useful.
However, the final booking schedule, fare and exact stoppage duration should be checked after Indian Railways formally notifies the service.
How Fast Will the Sleeper Vande Bharat Run?
Reports indicate that the proposed train could operate at speeds in the 130–160 kmph range, depending on track conditions and infrastructure readiness.
The higher end of that range is linked to improvements under the Railways' Mission Raftaar programme. The actual commercial operating speed will depend on the permissible speed of individual sections of the route and other operational factors.
This distinction is important. A train's maximum design or permissible speed is not necessarily the same as its average journey speed.
16 Coaches and More Than 800 Berths
The proposed train is expected to have 16 coaches with capacity for around 823 passengers.
The reported configuration includes:
- 11 AC 3-tier coaches
- 4 AC 2-tier coaches
- 1 First AC coach
This gives the train a mix of sleeper accommodation across different premium classes.
The sleeper version of Vande Bharat is designed specifically for long-distance journeys. It combines the Vande Bharat platform with sleeping accommodation, making it different from the existing chair-car services primarily used for daytime travel.
How Is This Different From the Existing Varanasi-Delhi Vande Bharat?
Indian Railways already operates Vande Bharat chair-car services between New Delhi and Varanasi, including services that stop at Kanpur and Prayagraj.
The proposed sleeper service would complement rather than simply duplicate that operation.
The key difference is the travel pattern:
Existing chair-car Vande Bharat: primarily daytime travel with seating.
Proposed sleeper Vande Bharat: overnight travel with berths.
For a passenger leaving Varanasi in the evening and arriving in Delhi early in the morning, the sleeper configuration could reduce the need to dedicate daytime hours to travel.
When Could the Second Sleeper Vande Bharat Start?
Railway officials are reportedly looking at a launch around Diwali, while trial operations are expected to take place before commercial introduction. However, the service has not yet received a final publicly notified timetable confirming the launch date.
This distinction matters because railway services require several operational approvals, including timetable finalisation, availability of a trainset, maintenance arrangements, path availability and infrastructure compatibility.
The Ministry of Railways has previously stated that introduction of new Vande Bharat services depends on factors such as section capacity, availability of train paths, rolling stock, infrastructure and maintenance requirements.
Therefore, passengers should treat the currently reported schedule as provisional until Indian Railways issues the official notification.
India's First Vande Bharat Sleeper Is Already Running
The proposed Delhi-Varanasi service would follow India's first operational Vande Bharat Sleeper service.
The Ministry of Railways says the 27575/27576 Howrah-Kamakhya Vande Bharat Sleeper Express began regular operations in January 2026. The government has described it as the first Vande Bharat Sleeper service on the Indian Railways network.
The sleeper trains use features including Kavach, automatic plug doors, CCTV cameras, emergency communication systems, regenerative braking and enhanced fire-safety systems. The trainsets have a design speed of 180 kmph and an operating speed of up to 160 kmph where infrastructure permits.
The Delhi-Varanasi proposal therefore represents the next stage in expanding the sleeper version of the Vande Bharat platform to another high-demand corridor.
What This Means for Passengers
If the proposed service launches as planned, passengers on the Delhi-Varanasi corridor could gain another overnight travel option with modern sleeper accommodation.
For Prayagraj, the proposed stop is particularly relevant because it would provide a direct premium overnight connection with both Varanasi and New Delhi.
The main points to watch before booking will be the official launch date, final timetable, ticket fares, days of operation and confirmed stoppages.
Conclusion
Indian Railways is preparing a second Vande Bharat Sleeper service on the New Delhi-Varanasi route, with Prayagraj and Kanpur proposed as intermediate stops. The reported schedule has the train leaving Varanasi at 9:20 PM and reaching New Delhi at around 5:00 AM, while the return service would follow a similar overnight pattern.
The proposal could give passengers in Prayagraj, Kanpur and Varanasi a faster overnight rail option, but the timetable and launch date remain subject to final railway approval.
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