India’s premium semi-high-speed train network, the Vande Bharat Express, is witnessing a sharp rise in passenger demand, reinforcing a nationwide shift toward faster, more comfortable rail travel.
According to a recent release by the Indian Railways, nearly 3.98 crore passengers travelled on Vande Bharat trains during FY 2025–26, marking a 34% increase from 2.97 crore passengers in FY 2024–25. This significant growth underscores rising public preference for modern, high-speed rail services.
Since its launch in February 2019, the Vande Bharat network has cumulatively served over 9.1 crore passengers across more than 1 lakh trips, reflecting strong trust and sustained demand across regions.
Key Routes Driving High Passenger Traffic
Several routes have emerged as major contributors to this growth:
- New Delhi–Varanasi: Over 73 lakh passengers (busiest route)
- New Delhi–Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra: Around 56 lakh passengers
- Secunderabad–Visakhapatnam: Over 48 lakh passengers
- Chennai–Mysuru: More than 36 lakh passengers
These routes not only serve daily commuters but also significantly boost religious tourism, cultural travel, and regional connectivity, enhancing local economies.
Introduction of Vande Bharat Sleeper Boosts Long-Distance Travel
In a major development, Indian Railways introduced the Vande Bharat Sleeper service in January 2026. Within just three months:
- 1.21 lakh passengers travelled
- Operated 119 trips
- Achieved over 100% occupancy rate
The strong response indicates growing acceptance of premium overnight rail travel, especially on long-distance corridors.
Transforming India’s Rail Travel Experience
The Vande Bharat Express, India’s first indigenously designed and manufactured semi-high-speed train, continues to symbolize the success of the Make in India initiative. With features like faster acceleration, improved onboard amenities, and enhanced safety systems, it represents a major leap in passenger-centric railway modernization.
As per the PIB document (Page 2), the expansion of this network is connecting metros, pilgrimage centers, heritage cities, and emerging economic hubs, positioning Vande Bharat as a backbone of India’s future rail mobility.
Outlook
With continued expansion and the addition of sleeper variants, Indian Railways is steadily moving toward a next-generation rail ecosystem focused on speed, comfort, and efficiency. The growing popularity of Vande Bharat trains clearly signals a long-term transformation in how India travels.