Two Key Services Affected
Passengers travelling from Varanasi need to take note of schedule changes for two specific semi-high-speed trains. The services impacted are the Varanasi-Ranchi Vande Bharat Express and the Varanasi-Deoghar Vande Bharat Express. According to statements
from Indian Railways, both trains will now depart 10 minutes earlier than their previous schedules. This change is being implemented for operational reasons and applies only to the departure from Varanasi. The timings at all subsequent stations along their routes will remain unchanged.
Varanasi-Ranchi Express: Afternoon Departure Moved Up
The first train with a revised schedule is the Varanasi-Ranchi Vande Bharat Express, designated by train number 20888. Previously, this service departed from Varanasi at 4:05 PM. Effective September 2, 2026, the new departure time is 3:55 PM. This train, which runs six days a week except for Tuesdays, is a vital link between Uttar Pradesh and Jharkhand. It covers a distance of approximately 536 kilometres in about 7 hours and 50 minutes, stopping at key stations like Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Junction, Gaya, Koderma, and Bokaro Steel City before reaching Ranchi.
Varanasi-Deoghar Express: An Earlier Morning Start
The second service affected is the Varanasi-Deoghar Vande Bharat Express, train number 22500. This popular service for pilgrims and tourists travelling to the temple town of Deoghar will also see its departure time advanced. The train, which used to leave Varanasi at 6:20 AM, will now depart at 6:10 AM, starting from September 2. This 10-minute change requires passengers to adjust their morning travel plans to ensure they reach the station on time. Similar to the Ranchi service, the schedule for this train remains the same at all stations after it leaves Varanasi.
What About the Varanasi-New Delhi Service?
It is important for passengers to note that these timing revisions are specific to the services heading towards Ranchi and Deoghar. The flagship Vande Bharat Express service running between Varanasi and New Delhi is not mentioned in these recent updates. Passengers travelling on the Varanasi-New Delhi route can expect the schedule to remain as it was, but it is always advisable to verify timings before any journey. The current changes are focused on streamlining operations on the eastern corridors from Varanasi.
Why the Small Change Matters
While a 10-minute adjustment might seem insignificant, it can make the difference between catching a train and missing it. Indian Railways has advised travellers to be mindful of the new schedule to avoid any last-minute inconvenience. Arriving at Varanasi station based on the old timetable could result in a missed journey. For instance, a passenger arriving at 6:15 AM for the Deoghar service would find that the train has already departed. This preponement, as it is known in railway terms, is often done to improve overall punctuality across the network and reduce congestion on busy routes.
