The proposed extension would connect three major centres of religion, faith and culture—Varanasi, Prayagraj and Mathura—through the high-speed rail network. The Railway is reportedly working on the proposal, and an announcement could be made before the assembly elections.
The Vande Bharat service currently operates as train number 20176 between Agra Cantt and Varanasi via Prayagraj. The journey takes around seven hours. According to some reports, more than 600 seats remained vacant every day between Agra and Prayagraj from September 22 to September 28. Against this backdrop, extending the route to Mathura is being considered to increase both the service's reach and passenger numbers.
If the extension is implemented, the journey between Varanasi and Mathura is expected to take less than eight hours. The move would strengthen direct rail connectivity between Kashi, the Sangam city of Prayagraj and Mathura.
However, operating the Vande Bharat Express from Mathura Junction would require a pit line, a maintenance facility for the train. The Agra division of the North Central Railway (NCR) has submitted a proposal to construct a new pit line at Mathura. The estimated cost of the proposed facility is around Rs 18 crore.
Meanwhile, Mathura BJP MP Hema Malini has written to the Railway Minister seeking an extension of the Vande Bharat service to Mathura. The matter has also reached Railway Board Chairman Satish Kumar.
The final announcement on the proposed extension will depend on the preparation of the pit line at Mathura and the further process to be undertaken by the Railway. If approved, the extension would bring Varanasi, Prayagraj and Mathura under a more direct Vande Bharat rail connection while addressing the issue of vacant seats on the existing route.
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