Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagged off four new Vande Bharat Express trains from Varanasi on Saturday, taking the number of operational services in India's semi-high-speed rail network past 160.

The launch ceremony was held at Banaras railway station in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, the prime minister's parliamentary constituency. The four new services will run on the Banaras-Khajuraho, Lucknow-Saharanpur, Firozpur-Delhi and Ernakulam-Bengaluru routes, linking pilgrimage towns, state capitals, a border district and one of India's biggest technology hubs.

Four routes, four regions

The Banaras-Khajuraho service is the centrepiece of the launch. It connects Varanasi with Prayagraj, Chitrakoot and the UNESCO-listed temples of Khajuraho, and will save passengers about two hours and 40 minutes compared with the special trains now running on the route, according to the Prime Minister's Office.

The Lucknow-Saharanpur service improves links between the Uttar Pradesh capital and western Uttar Pradesh, with onward access towards Haridwar. The Firozpur-Delhi service connects the Punjab border district with the national capital, while the Ernakulam-Bengaluru service links Kerala's commercial hub with India's technology capital in Karnataka.

Addressing the gathering in Varanasi, Mr Modi described the day as a festival of development for the city. He said trains such as Vande Bharat, Namo Bharat and Amrit Bharat were laying the foundation for the next generation of Indian Railways, and called the Vande Bharat trains a matter of pride for every Indian.

Network now past 160 services

With the four additions, the total number of operational Vande Bharat trains in the country has now exceeded 160, the Prime Minister's Office said. Railway Board executive director Dilip Kumar put the figure at 164 services, according to reports of the launch.

The Vande Bharat Express is Indian Railways' domestically built semi-high-speed train, with faster acceleration, onboard catering and modern passenger facilities. The network has expanded steadily since the first service began running, and the government has presented it as a showcase of Indian manufacturing as well as a practical upgrade for inter-city travel.

The launch comes as Indian Railways continues to add services on routes where demand is high and road or air alternatives are slower or more expensive. The Banaras-Khajuraho route in particular is aimed at religious tourism, connecting some of the most visited pilgrimage destinations in northern India with a heritage site that draws visitors from around the world.

Mr Modi also interacted with children on board the new Banaras-Khajuraho Vande Bharat Express during the ceremony, according to reports of the event. The prime minister's office said the new trains would make travel easier, faster and more comfortable for passengers across the four corridors.