I hope this is there in the bucket list of RM and they try launching these VB (new as well as extn) before the Indian General Elections....🙏🙏

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Maybe IR's push for their newish 3E rakes over the conventional 3A ones. I see no practical purpose though I personally would have not tinkered with the config since 3A is slightly more comfortable[due to more width of seats] when compared to 3E. But it's happening in many trains. Check out the Krishak Express. Also originates from LJN, got all it's 3A coaches replaced by 3E.

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I think there was a post here or news article detailing that due to high prices and competition from road services [which go straight to Ayodhya instead of taking a slight detour], the GKP-LKO VB wasn't able to properly fill it's 8 coaches even, despite the inauguration of the Ram temple. It's only a matter of time they will either extend it or convert to an ICE [with fully electrified tracks, a reverse ICE will easily fill passengers bound both for Ayodhya and Gorakhpu].

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Why would people take a premium train like VB for short distances of 200-300 km when the destination is pilgrimage centre and family of 4-6 members will travel and have the convenience of avoiding local transport. For ICE is different set of travelers who are budget or cost centric and affordable over bus people will travel to Ayodhya. A train from Kanpur Lucknow to Ayodhya upto Gorakpur should be there in morning and return in evening.

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