Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched four new Vande Bharat trains, presenting another significant gift to the countrymen. These trains will operate on the Banaras-Khajuraho, Lucknow-Saharanpur, Firozpur-Delhi, and Ernakulam-Bengaluru routes.
Varanasi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday flagged off four new Vande Bharat trains from his parliamentary constituency, Varanasi, giving another major gift to the nation. The historic ceremony, held at Banaras Railway Station, resonated with chants of "Har Har Mahadev." PM Modi inaugurated the four state-of-the-art Vande Bharat trains that will run on the Banaras-Khajuraho, Lucknow-Saharanpur, Firozpur-Delhi, and Ernakulam-Bengaluru routes.
A large number of local citizens, BJP workers, and railway officials were present on the occasion. The station premises were adorned with lamps and flowers in anticipation of the Prime Minister's arrival. As PM Modi waved the green flag, the trains departed, and passengers transformed the atmosphere into a celebration with cheers of “Bharat Mata Ki Jai” and “Har Har Mahadev.”
Vande Bharat: Symbol of India's Modern Rail Era
The Vande Bharat Express trains are seen as a symbol of India's “semi-high-speed rail network.” These trains are entirely designed and manufactured in India, considered a significant achievement of the “Make in India” campaign. The new trains offer passengers state-of-the-art safety systems, improved seating arrangements, automatic sliding doors, a GPS-based information system, and advanced AC technology.
According to the Ministry of Railways, the introduction of the new Vande Bharat trains will significantly reduce travel time on these four routes, offering passengers a fast, safe, and comfortable journey experience.
Prime Minister Modi's Address: “Infrastructure is the Backbone of Development”
'Strong infrastructure has been the biggest reason behind the rapid development of countries around the world. India is now also moving rapidly in that direction. Airports, expressways, and modern trains like Vande Bharat are writing the saga of India's development.'
He further stated that the transformation witnessed in India today is a significant step towards self-reliance. Vande Bharat trains are not only a symbol of technological progress but also the result of the hard work of our country's engineers and laborers, he added. PM Modi also mentioned that foreign tourists are now impressed by India's railway facilities and consider trains like Vande Bharat to be the “identity of a New India.”
Giving New Direction to the Pace of Development
The Prime Minister stated that strengthening transport and connectivity networks is the government's top priority to accelerate India's economy. He said that the “modernization of the railway network” is not only enhancing passenger convenience but also boosting local industries and tourism. With the introduction of these new trains, travel time between Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Delhi, Punjab, Karnataka, and Kerala will decrease. This will make access to religious, business, and tourist destinations even easier.
