Vande Bharat Express Sees 34% Surge in Passenger Numbers
Indian Railways is experiencing a significant uptick in passenger traffic on the Vande Bharat Express routes, with nearly 3.98 crore travelers recorded in the financial year 2025-26. This figure represents a remarkable growth of approximately 34% compared to the previous year’s 2.97 crore. The increase underscores the rising popularity of this modern and comfortable rail travel option among Indians.
Since its launch, the Vande Bharat Express has successfully transported over 9.1 crore passengers across 1 lakh trips, showcasing the public’s growing trust in this innovative railway service. Renowned as India’s first indigenously designed and manufactured semi-high-speed train, the Vande Bharat Express was inaugurated on the New Delhi–Varanasi route in February 2019. It has since expanded into a nationwide network that epitomizes speed, comfort, and self-reliance, aligning with the Make in India initiative.
Popular Routes and Regional Impact
Among the various routes, the New Delhi–Varanasi connection stands out as the most traveled, with over 73 lakh passengers utilizing the service. The New Delhi–Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra route has attracted approximately 56 lakh passengers, highlighting its crucial role in facilitating pilgrimage travel. In southern India, the Secunderabad–Visakhapatnam route has served more than 48 lakh passengers, while the Chennai–Mysuru route has catered to over 36 lakh passengers, demonstrating strong demand across different regions. These services are also vital for tourism, enhancing access to significant religious and cultural sites while contributing to local economies.
Expansion of Services
In January 2026, Indian Railways expanded its offerings with the introduction of the Vande Bharat Sleeper service. In its first three months of operation, this new service transported 1.21 lakh passengers over 119 trips, achieving an impressive occupancy rate of over 100%. This high demand reflects the growing passenger confidence in overnight rail travel.
The Vande Bharat Express represents Indian Railways’ commitment to innovation and passenger-oriented services. With ongoing efforts to connect major metros, pilgrimage sites, and emerging economic centers, along with the addition of sleeper services, Indian Railways is set to transform rail travel in India. The Vande Bharat Express continues to lead the change towards providing faster, safer, and more comfortable journeys.
Observer Voice is the one stop site for National, International news, Sports, Editor’s Choice, Art/culture contents, Quotes and much more. We also cover historical contents. Historical contents includes World History, Indian History, and what happened today. The website also covers Entertainment across the India and World.
Follow Us on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, & LinkedIn
