Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during a video conference on Saturday, flagged off three new Vande Bharat trains, emphasising the government's commitment to ensuring comfortable travel for all citizens, including the poor and middle class. He reiterated that the government would not stop until Indian Railways guaranteed this comfort.
PM Modi highlighted the Vande Bharat trains as the new face of modern Indian Railways, with the latest addition on the Meerut-Lucknow route being especially significant for the people of Uttar Pradesh.
He noted that Vande Bharat trains are becoming symbols of progress and development across the nation. The high-speed services not only enhance connectivity but also inspire confidence in expanding business opportunities and employment.
Currently, 102 Vande Bharat trains operate across India, and over three crore people have already travelled on these trains, reflecting their growing popularity and success.
The Prime Minister also spoke about the rapid advancements in Indian Railways, with projects such as electrification, the introduction of new trains, and the construction of new routes progressing swiftly.
The government allocated more than Rs 2.5 lakh crores to Indian Railways in this year’s budget, further modernising and enhancing the rail network with high-tech services. PM Modi announced that a sleeper version of the Vande Bharat train and the Vande Metro, aimed at easing traffic within cities, would be introduced soon.
Speaking on the Amrit Bharat Station Yojana, the Prime Minister informed that more than 1,300 railway stations across India are being renovated under this scheme. This renovation is not just about improving stations but also giving cities a new identity. The modernization of these stations, some of which are being upgraded to the level of airports, is significantly improving the ease of travel for citizens.
The event also marked the expansion of Vande Bharat trains on three new routes: Meerut-Lucknow, Madurai-Bengaluru, and Chennai-Nagercoil. PM Modi stated that the expansion of Vande Bharat trains reflects India's progress towards becoming a developed nation, aligning with the vision of "Viksit Bharat" with speed and modernity.
These trains are also enhancing connectivity to important religious places and boosting tourism, which in turn is increasing the income of local businesses and creating new employment opportunities.
PM Modi underscored the importance of rapid development in southern states like Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, highlighting their immense talent and resources.
He emphasised that the development of these states is a priority for the government, as evidenced by the significant increase in railway budgets for both Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.
The improved railway infrastructure, including the addition of Vande Bharat trains, is making life easier for the people in these regions and contributing to the overall progress of the nation.
The new Vande Bharat trains are expected to provide world-class travel experiences with speed and comfort, serving the states of Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka.
The Meerut City-Lucknow Vande Bharat will save passengers approximately one hour compared to the current fastest train, while the Chennai Egmore-Nagercoil and Madurai-Bengaluru routes will save more than two hours and around one hour and 30 minutes, respectively.
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