The Delhi-Kolkata rail route passes through major cities including Kanpur and Allahabad (Prayagraj), and connects to Gaya via the Grand Chord route. However, Varanasi is located on a different rail line (the Howrah-Delhi main line via Mughalsarai-Patna) and is not directly on the main Delhi-Kolkata route. Passengers to Varanasi typically need to change at Mughalsarai or take a different train.