Image Source: UrbanAcres
The Indian Railways has significantly enhanced Uttar Pradesh’s rail connectivity by extending the Meerut City–Lucknow Vande Bharat Express up to Varanasi Junction via Ayodhya Dham Junction starting August 27, 2025. This extension integrates two of North India’s most prominent religious and cultural hubs—Ayodhya and Varanasi—with key economic centers like Meerut and Lucknow, creating a seamless high-speed travel corridor aimed at boosting spiritual tourism, education, and regional commerce.
Key Highlights: Route Change, Timings, and Fares
The extended route covers approximately 783 kilometers, with the train taking about 11 hours and 50 minutes to complete the journey between Meerut City and Varanasi Junction.
Train number 22490 will depart Meerut City daily at 6:35 am and arrive at Varanasi at 6:25 pm, stopping at Moradabad, Bareilly, Lucknow Charbagh, and Ayodhya Dham on the way.
The return train 22489 will leave Varanasi at 9:10 am, calling at Ayodhya Dham, Lucknow, Bareilly, and Moradabad before reaching Meerut City at 9:05 pm.
Ticket pricing for the AC Chair Car stands at Rs. 1,915, while seats in the Executive Chair Car are priced at Rs. 3,525, inclusive of catering.
Strategic and Cultural Significance
The extension responds to passenger demand by eliminating the need for multiple transfers currently experienced on routes connecting western and eastern Uttar Pradesh.
It importantly supports religious tourism by offering pilgrims faster, more comfortable access to temples and holy sites in Ayodhya and Varanasi, cities that see millions of visitors annually.
By linking industrial and educational hubs such as Meerut with these spiritual centers, the service enhances opportunities for commerce and student commuting, creating socio-economic ripple effects across the state.
Operational Features and Passenger Experience
The Vande Bharat trains operate on fully electrified routes featuring advanced safety systems including KAVACH, collision avoidance sensors, and emergency surveillance cameras, ensuring passenger safety.
The coaches are equipped with multiple emergency exits, fire suppression systems, and are designed for high passenger comfort with air-conditioning and ergonomic seating.
The train runs six days a week, with Wednesdays reserved for maintenance to ensure consistent reliability and smooth operations.
Challenges Addressed and Future Outlook
Early operational phases of the Meerut-Lucknow segment revealed underutilization due to daytime scheduling and platform congestion delays—issues expected to be mitigated by extending the train to the high-demand Varanasi route.
Feedback from passengers advocating overnight service with sleeper coaches has emerged, suggesting future operational flexibility could optimize convenience and increase ridership.
This extension aligns with Indian Railways’ commitment to modernizing travel, improving accessibility, and promoting environmentally sustainable options with electric traction reducing carbon footprints compared to road and air travel.
Conclusion: A New Chapter in Uttar Pradesh’s Travel Landscape
The extension of the Meerut-Lucknow Vande Bharat service to include Varanasi via Ayodhya marks a significant step in enhancing Uttar Pradesh’s intra-state mobility and connectivity. By linking key religious, cultural, educational, and economic nodes along a fast, modern rail corridor, this train service not only promotes tourism and trade but also exemplifies India’s focus on sustainable, inclusive infrastructure development. Passengers can expect a faster, safer, and more comfortable journey, making this Vande Bharat extension a vital conduit for regional growth and social integration.
Sources: MoneyControl, Onmanorama, Times of India, Indian Express, Urban Acres
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