Vaishali Express

Vaishali Express

Vaishali Express At Samastipur Junction
Overview
Service type	Express
Status	Operative
First service	31 October 1973; 51 years ago (1973-10-31)
Current operator	East Central Railway
Route
Termini	New Delhi (NDLS) Lalitgram railway station (LLP)
Stops	24
Distance travelled	1,370 km (851 mi)
Average journey time	25 hrs 50 mins
Service frequency	Daily
Train number	12553/12554 current 15565 / 15566 w.e.f. 07-12-2025
On-board services
Classes	AC First Class, AC 2 Tier, AC 3 Tier, Sleeper Class, General Unreserved
Seating arrangements	Yes
Sleeping arrangements	Yes
Catering facilities	Available
Observation facilities	Large windows
Baggage facilities	Available
Other facilities	Below the seats
Technical
Rolling stock	LHB coach
Track gauge	Broad Gauge
Operating speed	55 km/h (34 mph) average including halts.

The 12553/12554 Vaishali Express is a Superfast Express train operated by Indian Railways, running between New Delhi (NDLS) and Lalitgram railway station in Bihar, India. It is managed by the 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]

Route and halts

The Vaishali Express operates daily between New Delhi and Lalitgram, passing through major cities in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. The extension beyond Saharsa Junction to Lalitgram via Supaul, Sariaghat, and Raghopur was introduced on 1 October 2025.

Vaishali Express – Major Stops (12553 / 12554)

Sr. No.	12553: Lalitgram → New Delhi	Code	12554: New Delhi → Lalitgram	Code
1	Lalitgram	LTMG	New Delhi	NDLS
2	Supaul	SUP	Ghaziabad	GZB
3	Sariaghat	SGHT	Aligarh Junction	ALJN
4	Raghopur	RGV	Tundla Junction	TDL
5	Saharsa Junction	SHC	Etawah Junction	ETW
6	Mansi Junction	MNE	Kanpur Central	CNB
7	Khagaria Junction	KGG	Aishbagh	ASH
8	Begusarai	BGS	Badshahnagar	BNZ
9	Barauni Junction	BJU	Barabanki Junction	BBK
10	Dalsingh Sarai	DSS	Gonda Junction	GD
11	Samastipur Junction	SPJ	Basti	BST
12	Muzaffarpur Junction	MFP	Khalilabad	KLD
13	Hajipur Junction	HJP	Gorakhpur Junction	GKP
14	Sonpur Junction	SEE	Deoria Sadar	DEOS
15	Chhapra	CPR	Siwan Junction	SV
16	Siwan Junction	SV	Chhapra	CPR
17	Deoria Sadar	DEOS	Sonpur Junction	SEE
18	Gorakhpur Junction	GKP	Hajipur Junction	HJP
19	Khalilabad	KLD	Muzaffarpur Junction	MFP
20	Basti	BST	Samastipur Junction	SPJ
21	Gonda Junction	GD	Dalsingh Sarai	DSS
22	Barabanki Junction	BBK	Barauni Junction	BJU
23	Badshahnagar	BNZ	Begusarai	BGS
24	Aishbagh	ASH	Khagaria Junction	KGG
25	Kanpur Central	CNB	Mansi Junction	MNE
26	Etawah Junction	ETW	Saharsa Junction	SHC
27	Tundla Junction	TDL	Supaul	SUP
28	Aligarh Junction	ALJN	Sariaghat	SGHT
29	Ghaziabad	GZB	Raghopur	RGV
30	New Delhi	NDLS	Lalitgram	LTMG

Coach composition

Vaishali Express typically runs with LHB coaches and includes various classes of travel, including AC First Class, AC 2 Tier, AC 3 Tier, Economy AC 3 Tier, Sleeper, and General coaches. The train also includes a pantry car and SLRD coaches for Divyangjan (persons with disabilities). The composition may change depending on operational requirements.

Coach Composition of Vaishali Express (12553/12554)

Position	Coach Type	Coach Code	Description
1	Engine	ENG	Locomotive
2	SLRD	SLRD	Divyangjan Coach (SLRD)
3	AC First Class	H1	First AC
4	AC 2 Tier	A2	Second AC
5	AC 2 Tier	A1	Second AC
6	AC 3 Tier Economy	M1	3E (Economy AC)
7	AC 3 Tier	B5	Third AC
8	AC 3 Tier	B4	Third AC
9	AC 3 Tier	B3	Third AC
10	AC 3 Tier	B2	Third AC
11	AC 3 Tier	B1	Third AC
12	Pantry Car	PC	Catering Car
13	Sleeper Class	S6	Sleeper
14	Sleeper Class	S5	Sleeper
15	Sleeper Class	S4	Sleeper
16	Sleeper Class	S3	Sleeper
17	Sleeper Class	S2	Sleeper
18	Sleeper Class	S1	Sleeper
19	General Unreserved	GEN	General
20	General Unreserved	GEN	General
21	General Unreserved	GEN	General
22	General Unreserved	GEN	General
23	Luggage Van	LPR	Parcel/Luggage Coach

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.