In a major move to boost passenger traffic and strengthen UP’s rail connectivity, Indian Railways has formally approved extending the Meerut City–Lucknow Vande Bharat Express (trains 22490/22489) to Varanasi Junction (Kashi Cantt.), effective August 27, 2025 .

Train 22490: Departs Meerut City at 6:35 AM, halts at Moradabad, Bareilly, Lucknow, and Ayodhya Dham, and reaches Varanasi Cantt at 6:25 PM.

Train 22489: Leaves Varanasi Junction at 9:10 AM, stops at Ayodhya Dham, Lucknow, Bareilly, and Moradabad, and arrives in Meerut at 9:05 PM.

The updated route links key spiritual cities—Ayodhya and Varanasi—as well as major commercial centers like Lucknow and Moradabad. Northern Railway's Lucknow division completed route assessments, favoring the Ayodhya–Lucknow–Varanasi alignment. Direct Vande Bharat service enhances access for pilgrims traveling to Shri Ram Janmabhoomi and Kashi Vishwanath.

From August 27, travelers from west UP—including Meerut, Moradabad, and Bareilly—will gain fast, comfortable AC chair car access to Lucknow, Ayodhya, and Kashi via the expanded Vande Bharat route. This represents both an uplift in rail service quality and a boost for business and pilgrimage flows.

It's a meaningful upgrade in UP’s rail connectivity, combining speed, convenience, and cultural tourism.