Ayodhya–Chitrakoot Vande Bharat Express in the Pipeline; High-Speed Rail Service to Begin Soon for Ram Devotees

Banda/Chitrakoot: In a major boost to religious tourism and connectivity across the Ramayana circuit, Indian Railways is preparing to launch the Ayodhya–Chitrakoot Vande Bharat Express, offering a fast, modern, and seamless travel experience between the sacred land of Lord Rama’s birth and his revered Tapobhoomi.

The Railway Board has sought a feasibility report from the Northern Railway headquarters for this new route. With the process accelerating, officials indicate that the high-speed train is likely to begin operations by January 2026.

Direct High-Speed Connectivity for Pilgrims

The upcoming Vande Bharat service will directly connect Chitrakoot Dham, Banda, Hamirpur, Kanpur, Unnao, Lucknow, and finally Ayodhya Dham.
Currently, no direct train operates between Chitrakoot and Ayodhya, causing inconvenience for pilgrims. The proposed service has already generated excitement among devotees, local residents, and tourists.

Once the train begins operations, passengers arriving in Chitrakoot will be able to travel effortlessly to the birthplace of Lord Rama — significantly reducing travel time and enhancing convenience.

Strengthening the Ramayana Circuit

Indian Railways has already taken several steps to strengthen the Ramayana circuit with modern rail infrastructure. IRCTC’s Ramayana Yatra Train, as well as multiple Vande Bharat services connecting Ayodhya to Prayagraj, Patna, Gorakhpur, Meerut, and Anand Vihar, have improved religious tourism.
The Ayodhya–Chitrakoot Vande Bharat will be the newest link in this spiritual network.

Proposal Initiated After Request by MP Sakshi Maharaj

Unnao MP Sakshi Maharaj had written to Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw requesting a direct Vande Bharat service between Ayodhya and Chitrakoot. Acting on the proposal, the Railway Board instructed Northern Railway to prepare a detailed plan for running a high-speed train on the Ayodhya–Lucknow–Unnao–Kanpur–Hamirpur–Banda–Chitrakoot corridor.

The Lucknow division is working to finalize the route, timetable, and technical parameters by the end of this month. Northern Railway is set to receive a new Vande Bharat rake in January, after which formal operations may begin.

Boost to Tourism, Pilgrimage and Revenue

RTI activist Kuldeep Shukla said that this development will significantly enhance travel comfort and travel time for devotees visiting important religious destinations.
The new service is expected to increase tourism revenue, improve passenger convenience, and strengthen connectivity across Uttar Pradesh and Bundelkhand.

Part of PM Modi’s Vision for Enhanced Religious Connectivity

Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently inaugurated the Varanasi–Khajuraho Vande Bharat Express, which passes through Chitrakoot — the land of Lord Rama’s penance.
The upcoming Ayodhya–Chitrakoot Vande Bharat is seen as a continuation of this vision, connecting the birthplace of Lord Rama with his Tapobhoomi through a state-of-the-art high-speed rail service.