Patna : Indian Railways has introduced a new Vande Bharat Express, connecting Chhapra in Bihar with Lucknow, the capital of Uttar Pradesh. The service, launched to cater to the surge in passenger traffic during the summer holiday season, began operations on Thursday and is expected to run untill April 26. However, passengers are calling for the service to be made permanent.
Schedule and Frequency
The Vande Bharat Special (02270) departs from Lucknow at 2.15pm on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, arriving in Chhapra at 9.30pm. The return journey (02269) leaves Chhapra at 11pm on the same days, reaching Lucknow at 6.30am the following morning.
Journey Time and Speed
Covering a distance of 489 km, the Vande Bharat Special completes the Chhapra-Lucknow journey in just six and a half hours, making it the fastest option between the two cities. In comparison, other express trains take between eight and eight and a half hours, while the Dibrugarh Rajdhani completes the journey in seven and a half hours.
Station Stops and Coach Configuration
The train will make stops at key stations, including Suraimanpur, Ballia, Ghazipur City, Varanasi Junction, and Sultanpur. The eight-coach formation consists of both AC chair car and executive class coaches, offering a comfortable and faster alternative for passengers travelling between the two states.
