Vaishali Express

Vaishali Express
Overview
Service typeExpress
First service31 October 1973 (1973-10-31)
Current operatorEast Central Railway
Route
TerminiNew Delhi (NDLS)
Lalitgram (LLP)
Stops24
Distance travelled1,370 km (851 mi)
Average journey time25 hrs 50 mins
Service frequencyDaily
Train number15565 / 15566
On-board services
ClassesAC First Class, AC 2 Tier, AC 3 Tier, Sleeper Class, General Unreserved
Seating arrangementsYes
Sleeping arrangementsYes
Catering facilitiesAvailable
Observation facilitiesLarge windows
Baggage facilitiesAvailable
Other facilitiesBelow the seats
Technical
Rolling stockLHB coach
Track gaugeBroad Gauge
Operating speed55 km/h (34 mph) average including halts.

The 15565 / 15566 Vaishali Express is an express train operated by Indian Railways, running between New Delhi in Delhi and Lalitgram in Bihar, India. It is operated by East Central Railway zone and is known for serving the northern part of Bihar and connecting it to the national capital.[1][2]

History

  • The train originally operated between New Delhi and Samastipur Junction, serving as an important route in northern Bihar.
  • The train was previously known as the Jayanti Jayanta Express, also called the Muzaffarpur–New Delhi Jayanti Jayanta Express in some earlier timetables.
  • It was later extended to Barauni Junction, expanding its reach within the region.
  • On 5 March 2019, the service was extended again to Saharsa Junction, increasing connectivity further into northeastern Bihar.
  • In May 2018, the train's older ICF coaches were replaced with modern LHB coaches, improving passenger safety and ride quality.
  • The Vaishali Express became one of the first Indian trains to receive ISO 9000 certification, following the Bhopal Express.
  • On 1 October 2025, the train was extended up to Lalitgram Railway Station, passing through Supaul, Sariaghat, and Raghopur, providing better rail access to these areas.
  • On 7 December 2025, it is announced that Vaishali Express will change the train number from 12553/12554 to 15565/15566, thus making the train downgrade from Superfast to original Express category.[3]

Schedule

15565 / 15566 Lalitgarm–New Delhi Vaishali Express Schedule
Train Type Mail / Express
Distance ~1300 km
Journey Time (Lalitgram → New Delhi) ~26 hrs 30 min
Journey Time (New Delhi → Lalitgram) ~25 hrs 15 min
Classes Available AC 1-tier, AC 2-tier, AC 3-tier, Sleeper Class, General Unreserved
Operating Days Daily
Railway Zone East Central Railway / Northern Railway

Route and timetable

Vaishali Express
15565 Lalitgarm → New Delhi 15566 New Delhi → Lalitgarm
Station Day Arr. Dep. Station Day Arr. Dep.
Lalitgram 1 04:00 New Delhi 1 20:40
Raghopur 1 04:17 04:19 Ghaziabad 1 21:23 21:25
Saraygarh 1 04:33 04:35 Aligarh Junction 1 22:33 22:35
Supaul 1 05:01 05:03 Tundla Junction 1 23:38 23:40
Saharsa Junction 1 06:25 06:45 Etawah Junction 2 00:38 00:40
Mansi Junction 1 07:38 07:40 Kanpur Central 2 02:25 02:30
Khagaria Junction 1 07:50 07:52 Aishbagh 2 04:05 04:15
Begusarai 1 08:22 08:24 Badshahnagar 2 04:37 04:40
Barauni Junction 1 08:50 09:00 Barabanki Junction 2 05:21 05:23
Dalsingh Sarai 1 09:30 09:32 Gonda Junction 2 06:33 06:38
Samastipur Junction 1 09:52 09:57 Basti 2 07:40 07:43
Muzaffarpur Junction 1 10:55 11:00 Khalilabad 2 08:10 08:12
Hajipur Junction 1 11:55 12:00 Gorakhpur Junction 2 09:17 09:27
Sonpur Junction 1 12:08 12:10 Deoria Sadar 2 10:20 10:25
Chhapra Junction 1 13:40 13:45 Siwan Junction 2 11:25 11:30
Siwan Junction 1 14:35 14:40 Chhapra Junction 2 12:35 12:40
Deoria Sadar 1 15:33 15:35 Sonpur Junction 2 13:36 13:38
Gorakhpur Junction 1 16:50 17:00 Hajipur Junction 2 13:50 13:55
Khalilabad 1 17:34 17:36 Muzaffarpur Junction 2 14:43 14:48
Basti 1 17:58 18:01 Samastipur Junction 2 15:55 16:00
Gonda Junction 1 19:10 19:15 Dalsingh Sarai 2 16:23 16:25
Barabanki Junction 1 20:56 20:58 Barauni Junction 2 17:10 17:20
Badshahnagar 1 21:36 21:39 Begusarai 2 17:46 17:48
Aishbagh 1 22:00 22:10 Khagaria Junction 2 18:46 18:48
Kanpur Central 1 23:40 23:45 Mansi Junction 2 19:13 19:15
Etawah Junction 2 01:14 01:16 Saharsa Junction 2 20:20 20:40
Tundla Junction 2 02:38 02:40 Supaul 2 21:13 21:15
Aligarh Junction 2 03:50 03:52 Saraygarh 2 21:48 21:50
Ghaziabad 2 05:43 05:45 Raghopur 2 22:00 22:02
New Delhi 2 06:30 Lalitgram 2 22:45

Coach composition

Category Coaches Total
Luggage/Parcel Rake (LPR) LPR1, LPR2 2
General Unreserved (GEN) GEN1, GEN2, GEN3, GEN4 4
Sleeper Class (SL) S1, S2, S3, S4, S5, S6 6
Pantry Car (PC) PC 1
AC 3 Tier (3A) B1, B2, B3, B4, B5 5
AC 3 Economy (3E) M1 1
AC 2 Tier (2A) A1, A2 2
AC First Class (1A) H1 1
Sleeper cum Luggage Rake (SLRD) (Divyangjan) SLRD 1
Total Coaches 22
  • Primary Maintenance – Saharsa CD

See also

References

  1. ^ “Protests Erupt Against Vaishali Express Extension to Lalitgram Amid Public Outcry,” *LiveHindustan*, Saharsa, 21 September 2025. Retrieved from https://www.livehindustan.com/bihar/saharsa/story-protests-erupt-against-vaishali-express-extension-to-lalitgram-amid-public-outcry-201758402716527.html
  2. ^ "सहरसा-नई दिल्ली वैशाली एक्सप्रेस अब ललितग्राम से चलेगी, अमहा पैसेंजर ट्रेन का भी विस्तार". Live Hindustan (in Hindi). 1 October 2025. Retrieved 2 October 2025.
  3. ^ "Indian Railways News: वैशाली एक्सप्रेस का बदला रूट, सहरसा की जगह अब ललितग्राम से चलेगी - Vaishali Express Route Extended Gorakhpur News and Schedule Changes". Jagran (in Hindi). Retrieved 4 October 2025.