Which Trains Are Affected?
The revision, announced by Northern Railway, impacts two key services originating from Varanasi Junction. The first is the Varanasi-Ranchi Vande Bharat Express (Train No. 20888), and the second is the Varanasi-Deoghar Vande Bharat Express (Train No. 22500).
It is important for passengers booked on these trains to note that the departure time from Varanasi has been moved up. The return journeys of these trains are not affected by this change. This adjustment has been made for operational reasons to improve efficiency on these routes.
New Timing: Varanasi to Ranchi
For passengers travelling on the Varanasi-Ranchi Vande Bharat Express (Train No. 20888), the departure from Varanasi is now 10 minutes earlier. The train will now leave Varanasi at 3:55 PM, instead of its previous time of 4:05 PM. This train runs six days a week, excluding Tuesdays. It covers a distance of approximately 536 kilometres in about 7 hours and 50 minutes. While the departure from Varanasi is earlier, the railway has confirmed that the arrival and departure timings at all subsequent stations—including Deen Dayal Upadhyaya, Gaya, Koderma, and Bokaro Steel City—will remain unchanged.
New Timing: Varanasi to Deoghar
Similarly, the Varanasi-Deoghar Vande Bharat Express (Train No. 22500) will also depart 10 minutes ahead of its old schedule. Starting September 2, this train will leave Varanasi at 6:10 AM, as opposed to the earlier time of 6:20 AM. This service is particularly important for pilgrims travelling to the temple town of Deoghar. Just like the Ranchi service, the schedule for this train at all stations beyond Varanasi remains the same as before. The adjustment is confined only to its starting point.
Why the Small Change Matters
A 10-minute adjustment might seem minor, but it can be the difference between catching your train and missing it. Passengers who have grown accustomed to the previous schedule and plan their arrival at the station accordingly are at the highest risk of being left behind. Someone arriving at 6:15 AM for the Deoghar service, for example, would now miss their train. The change is intended to streamline operations, but requires passengers to be vigilant and adjust their travel plans to the station.
What Passengers Should Do
If you are travelling on either of these Vande Bharat services from Varanasi from September 2 onwards, it is crucial to re-confirm your train’s departure time. Railway authorities have advised all passengers to check the updated schedule before starting their journey. The best practice is to arrive at the station at least 20-30 minutes before the new, earlier departure time to allow for any last-minute platform changes and security checks. You can verify the latest timings on the official Indian Railways website, the NTES app, or through your ticket confirmation details.
