On Friday (June 20), Prime Minister Narendra Modi virtually inaugurated the train from Siwan in Bihar.
This service is expected to reduce the journey by a minimum of two hours, providing enhanced convenience for passengers along the route.
माननीय प्रधानमंत्री श्री @narendramodi जी ने बिहार से देवरिया-वैशाली के बीच नई रेल लाइन का उद्घाटन किया। साथ ही पाटलिपुत्र-गोरखपुर #VandeBharatExpress और नई ट्रेन सेवा व गिनी गणराज्य को निर्यात होने वाले प्रथम लोकोमोटिव को हरी झंडी दिखाकर रवाना किया। #Railinfra4Bihar pic.twitter.com/YXEJN4OHL7
— Ministry of Railways (@RailMinIndia) June 20, 2025
Route, timings and frequency
The inaugural trip commenced from Patliputra station in Patna around 1 pm on June 20, as reported by PTI.
Though the schedule for its regular commercial operation is still awaited, a prior Railway Ministry announcement specified that the train will leave Gorakhpur at 5:40 am and reach Patliputra by 12:45 pm. The return journey will start at 3:30 pm, arriving in Gorakhpur by 10:30 pm.
The train is set to run six days a week, excluding Saturdays, and will stop at key stations in both Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, including Hajipur, Muzaffarpur, Bapudham Motihari, Sagauli, Bettiah, Narkatiaganj, and Bagaha, according to PTI. It will cover roughly 384 km.
बिहार को नई रफ्तार!
पाटलिपुत्र से गोरखपुर को रवाना होगी नई वंदे भारत एक्सप्रेस।#VandeBharatExpress pic.twitter.com/LaldIOgvgs
— Ministry of Railways (@RailMinIndia) June 20, 2025
Bihar is preparing for elections later this year.
Train’s features and safety systems
Emphasizing the importance of the new service, local BJP MLA Sanjiv Chaurasia described the train as a gift from PM Modi to the people of Bihar, stating it will provide “world-class amenities” to travelers.
Chaurasia mentioned features such as LED display panels for speed and station information, bio-vacuum toilets, and the Kavach safety system, an anti-collision technology that automatically engages brakes if the loco pilot does not respond.
Nonetheless, the complete advantages of Kavach are not yet fully realized due to incomplete infrastructure along the network, as reported by PTI citing railway officials.
Read more: Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Urban: PM Modi disburses first instalment to 53,600 beneficiaries in Bihar
Broader rail infrastructure plans
This new train is the second Vande Bharat service for Gorakhpur, said Railway Board Chairman and CEO Satish Kumar during an inspection on June 19, as he reviewed station upgrades under the ₹500-crore Amrit Bharat Station Scheme.
The initiative aims to transform Gorakhpur junction, which boasts the world’s second-longest platform, into a modern passenger hub featuring lounges, retail shops, food courts, children’s play areas, and facilities catering to specially-abled individuals, such as ramps, lifts, and Braille signage, as per PTI.
Kumar noted a record ₹19,858-crore budget allocation for railway development in Uttar Pradesh for the financial year 2025-26, while also detailing ongoing infrastructure projects like new lines and third-line construction in eastern UP, including the Khalilabad-Bahraich corridor.
Vande Bharat expansion across India
The Patliputra-Gorakhpur service adds to the existing 28 Vande Bharat trains operating in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, according to Dilip Kumar, Executive Director of Information and Publicity at the Railway Board.
Read more: Cabinet approves two rail projects worth ₹6,405 crore, to increase network by over 300 km
While the trains can reach speeds of 160 kmph, current operational limits are set at 130 kmph due to infrastructure limitations. Ongoing upgrades are anticipated to gradually enable the trains to realize their full speed and safety capabilities.
