In a major boost to rail connectivity for passengers in Punjab, the Railway Board has approved the introduction of a new tri-weekly Sant Ravidas Express connecting Chheharta (Amritsar) with Varanasi. The new train is expected to benefit thousands of passengers, particularly devotees, students, migrant workers and families who frequently travel between Punjab and eastern Uttar Pradesh.
Train number 14623/14624, named Sant Ravidas Express in honour of Sant Guru Ravidas Ji, will provide a direct rail link between the two cities, reducing travel inconvenience for passengers who currently rely on connecting trains for the route.
Approved schedule
According to the approved schedule, the train will depart from Chheharta every Wednesday, Friday and Sunday at 2:05 pm. It will reach Amritsar Railway Station at 2:25 pm, halt for five minutes, and then continue its journey towards Varanasi. On its return journey, the train will leave Varanasi every Thursday, Saturday and Monday at 7:50 am, arrive at Amritsar at 4:35 pm, and conclude its journey at Chheharta at 5:10 pm.
As per the timetable approved by the Railway Board, the train will pass through several important stations en route. It is scheduled to reach Lucknow at 7:25 am while travelling towards Varanasi before arriving at its final destination at 12:15 pm. During the return journey, the train will depart Lucknow at 12:10 am before heading towards Punjab.
Official date
The Railway Board has instructed the Northern Railway to complete all operational and technical formalities at the earliest so that the service can be introduced without delay. An official date for the commencement of operations is expected to be announced after the necessary preparations are completed.
Train to stop at these stations
According to the approved route, the new Sant Ravidas Express will halt at Amritsar, Jalandhar City, Ludhiana, Ambala Cantonment, Saharanpur, Moradabad, Bareilly, Shahjahanpur, Lucknow, Sultanpur and Jaunpur before reaching Varanasi. Operating three days a week, the train is expected to significantly improve connectivity between Punjab and eastern Uttar Pradesh. The direct service will make travel easier and more comfortable for pilgrims visiting Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple, devotees of Sant Guru Ravidas Ji, and other passengers travelling between the two states.
Connectivity between Punjab and Uttar Pradesh
The launch of the Sant Ravidas Express is expected to strengthen connectivity between Punjab and Uttar Pradesh while offering a convenient travel option for pilgrims visiting Shri Guru Ravidas Janam Asthan at Seer Govardhanpur in Varanasi, besides catering to the growing demand from passengers travelling for work, education, healthcare and family commitments.
Benefits of the new service
Railway officials believe the new service will ease passenger traffic on existing trains operating on the route and improve travel convenience for residents of Amritsar and nearby districts. The move is also expected to boost religious tourism and enhance rail connectivity between two culturally significant regions of North India.
