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The Railways has decided to extend the Varanasi-Agra Vande Bharat Express up to Mathura, covering three major religious destinations of North India: Mathura, Prayagraj and Varanasi under a single train service. An announcement regarding the extension will be made before the Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections.
Varanasi-Agra Vande Bharat Express to be Extended to Mathura
At present, train number 20176 operates between Agra Cantt and Varanasi via Prayagraj. It covers the journey in around seven hours. If extended to Mathura, the complete journey is expected to take less than eight hours. The proposed extension would provide a direct rail connection between the Braj region, Prayagraj and Kashi, making travel more convenient for pilgrims visiting places such as Krishna Janmabhoomi and Banke Bihari Temple in Mathura-Vrindavan, as well as the Kashi Vishwanath Temple and Ganga ghats in Varanasi.
How will this Extension Benefit Indian Railways & Pilgrims?
The extension could also help the Railways make better use of the existing train's capacity. Railway data shows that between September 22 and 28, more than 600 seats on the Agra-Prayagraj section remained vacant every day. BJP MP Hema Malini has also written to the Railway Minister seeking the extension, while the matter has been taken up with Railway Board Chairman Satish Kumar.
However, the extension requires maintenance and washing facilities at Mathura Junction. The North Central Railway's Agra division has proposed constructing a new pit line at Mathura at an estimated cost of around ₹18 crore. Agra division PRO Sanjay Gautam said the proposal has been sent to the competent authorities.
Once the extension becomes operational, the semi-high-speed train would connect Mathura, Agra, Kanpur, Prayagraj and Varanasi on one route. Besides pilgrims, the service is expected to benefit tourists, traders and other passengers. Increased tourist movement could also support hotels, guest houses, local guides, handicraft and religious-product sellers, and transport operators in Mathura, Prayagraj and Varanasi.