The Indian Railways is witnessing a surge in demand for the Vande Bharat Express, reflecting a growing preference for fast, comfortable, and modern train travel across the country.
34% Jump in Passenger Numbers
In FY 2025–26:
- Nearly 3.98 crore travelled with Vande Bharat
- Compared to 2.97 crore in FY 2024–25
👉 A strong 34% growth in ridership
This trend highlights:
- Rising demand for premium rail services
- Shift towards modern travel experiences
Over 9.1 Crore Passengers Travelled
Since its launch:
- Vande Bharat has completed around 1 lakh trips
- Served over 9.1 crore passengers
This underscores the train’s growing popularity and trust among passengers.
Busiest Routes Driving Demand
Top-performing routes include:
- New Delhi–Varanasi: 73 lakh+ passengers
- New Delhi–Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra: 56 lakh+ passengers
- Secunderabad–Visakhapatnam: 48 lakh+ passengers
- Chennai–Mysuru: 36 lakh+ passengers
These routes have significantly improved:
- Regional connectivity
- Tourism movement
Boost to Tourism & Local Economy
Vande Bharat services are enhancing access to:
- Religious destinations
- Cultural hubs
- Coastal regions
This is driving:
- Tourism growth
- Local employment and economic activity
Sleeper Version Gains Momentum
The Vande Bharat Sleeper Service, launched in January 2026:
- Completed 119 trips in first 3 months
- Served 1.21 lakh passengers
- Recorded 100%+ occupancy
👉 Indicates strong demand for premium overnight travel
Flagship ‘Make in India’ Success
Launched in February 2019 on the New Delhi–Varanasi route, Vande Bharat is a symbol of:
- Make in India
- Indigenous technology
- Advanced safety and speed
- Passenger-centric innovation
