India's first semi high speed Train 18, later known as Vande Bharat Express, was initially planned to run between New Delhi and which city?

Introduction / Context:
Train 18, later renamed Vande Bharat Express, marked a major step in the Make in India initiative for modern rail technology. It was designed as India's first semi high speed, engine less train set, capable of running at high speeds on existing tracks. This question asks you to recall the initial planned route of Train 18 from New Delhi to a key city, which became important current affairs when the train was launched.

Given Data / Assumptions:

- The train in question is Train 18, later known as the Vande Bharat Express.

- It was planned to start from New Delhi and connect to one major city.

- Options include several prominent cities of North India: Gorakhpur, Varanasi, Allahabad (Prayagraj), Agra, and Kanpur.

- You are expected to recall the widely publicised inaugural route rather than technical details of the train.

Concept / Approach:
The correct approach is to connect Train 18 with current affairs surrounding its launch. News reports emphasised that the first Vande Bharat Express would run between New Delhi and Varanasi, the parliamentary constituency of the Prime Minister at that time. The route was chosen both for operational reasons and symbolic importance. Other cities listed in the options, although important stations on the Indian Railways network, were not the endpoints of the inaugural Train 18 service.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that Train 18 was designed and manufactured by the Integral Coach Factory in Chennai as a modern self propelled train set. Step 2: Remember that at the time of its launch, it was widely called India's fastest train and was planned to connect New Delhi with a major religious and cultural city. Step 3: Identify that the chosen city for this inaugural route was Varanasi, which is a major pilgrimage centre on the Ganga and a key political constituency. Step 4: Confirm that other options like Agra, Kanpur, Allahabad (Prayagraj), and Gorakhpur did not serve as the terminal city for the first run of Train 18. Step 5: Based on this recall, select Varanasi as the correct endpoint.

Verification / Alternative Check:
To verify, you can recall the full name often quoted in news, "Vande Bharat Express between New Delhi and Varanasi". The train was flagged off on this route and time tables, promotional materials, and official releases repeated this pairing many times. There are separate trains connecting New Delhi with Agra or Kanpur, but they are not Train 18 in its original form. This consistent association between Train 18 and the New Delhi Varanasi route confirms that Varanasi is the right choice.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Gorakhpur is an important junction in eastern Uttar Pradesh but was not selected as the terminal city for the first Train 18 route. Allahabad, now officially known as Prayagraj, is a major cultural centre but was not the endpoint of the inaugural Vande Bharat Express. Agra is famous for the Taj Mahal and has fast trains like the Gatimaan Express, but Train 18 did not begin service on this route first. Kanpur is an industrial city on many key routes, yet it was not the chosen terminal city for India's first Train 18 service.

Common Pitfalls:
Because there are several fast trains from New Delhi to Agra and other cities, some candidates incorrectly assume that any new fast train from Delhi must go to Agra. Another pitfall is poor linking of railway developments to political and symbolic factors. Remembering that Varanasi is a high profile constituency helps fix the route in memory. Systematic revision of important trains and their routes, such as Rajdhani, Shatabdi, and Vande Bharat services, can prevent such confusion during exams.

Final Answer:
India's first Train 18, later called the Vande Bharat Express, was planned to run between New Delhi and Varanasi.