Sleeper Vande Bharat Indian Railways is set to achieve a major milestone in highspeed longdistance travel as Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to virtually flag off the country’s second Sleeper Vande Bharat Express on July 17. Named the ‘Sant Ravidas Express,’ this ultramodern, fully airconditioned overnight train will establish direct, premium connectivity between Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh and Chheharta (near Amritsar) in Punjab. The Prime Minister will inaugurate the service via video conferencing from Jalandhar, where he is also slated to open the newly redeveloped, stateoftheart Jalandhar Railway Station. The rollout of this premium train marks a deliberate operational shift by the Ministry of Railways to transition traditional longdistance corridors into the elite semihighspeed network, offering a flightlike experience on overnight routes.
Sleeper Vande Bharat – Operating Days, Timetable, and Detailed Train Schedule
According to the official schedule approved by the Railway Board, the Sant Ravidas Express will operate three times a week in each direction under train numbers 14624 and 14623. Train No. 14624 (Chheharta to Varanasi) will depart from Chheharta every Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday at 02-05 PM, making a brief five-minute halt at Amritsar Junction at 02-25 PM before heading east. It is scheduled to arrive at Lucknow Charbagh at 07-30 AM the following morning and reach its final destination, Varanasi Junction, at 12-15 PM. On the return leg, Train No. 14623 will depart Varanasi every Thursday, Saturday, and Monday at 07-05 PM, reaching Lucknow at 12-10 AM, Amritsar at 04-35 PM the next day, and terminating at Chheharta at 05-10 PM.
Sleeper Vande Bharat – Key Strategic Stoppages Across Three Indian States
Designed to run via the shortest and most efficient rail corridor between Punjab and eastern Uttar Pradesh, the Sleeper Vande Bharat Express will cater to multiple high-density commercial and industrial centers. The designated intermediate stations where the train will halt include Jalandhar City, Ludhiana, Ambala Cantt, Saharanpur, Moradabad, Bareilly, Shahjahanpur, Lucknow, Sultanpur, and Jaunpur City. By bridging these critical locations, the semi-high-speed service is expected to significantly reduce travel times compared to existing traditional mail and express trains on the route, while the primary rake maintenance infrastructure built at Chheharta station will ensure quick operational turnaround times.
Sleeper Vande Bharat – Boosting Spiritual Tourism and Transforming Long-Distance Travel Comfort
Beyond offering faster business transit, the Sant Ravidas Express holds massive cultural significance as it directly connects two of India’s most prominent spiritual capitals—the Golden Temple in Amritsar and the Kashi Vishwanath Temple in Varanasi. The direct route is custom-tailored to benefit thousands of pilgrims, particularly devotees from the Ravidasi community who frequently travel to Varanasi. Passengers boarding this next-generation 16-coach rake can expect upgraded interior layouts, ergonomic berths, advanced sensor-based doors, bio-vacuum toilets, and anti-collision Kavach safety systems, reflecting the government’s push to replace aging infrastructure with luxury long-distance alternatives.