New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi today inaugurated three new Vande Bharat Express trains via videoconferencing, marking a significant stride towards enhancing India’s railway connectivity. These state-of-the-art trains, a testament to the ‘Make in India’ and Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiatives, will operate on the Meerut—Lucknow, Madurai—Bengaluru, and Chennai—Nagercoil routes, connecting key regions across Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka.
In his address, Prime Minister Modi highlighted the importance of these new services in India’s ongoing development journey. “Today, a new chapter is being written in India’s development journey from the North to the South,” the Prime Minister remarked. He emphasized that these trains will not only connect important cities but also bring historic towns closer, providing a boost to tourism, business, and employment opportunities in these regions.
The Prime Minister particularly noted the strategic importance of these connections. The Madurai—Bengaluru route links the Temple City with the IT hub, offering pilgrims and professionals improved connectivity. The Chennai—Nagercoil route, he added, would be a boon for students, farmers, and IT professionals, further integrating Tamil Nadu’s diverse regions. Meanwhile, the Meerut—Lucknow Vande Bharat will significantly reduce travel time between western Uttar Pradesh and the state capital, further enhancing the region’s economic prospects.
PM Modi underscored the government’s commitment to the rapid development of Southern states, calling it imperative for achieving the goal of a Viksit Bharat (Developed India). He highlighted the substantial investments made in the railway budgets for Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, which have seen allocations increase sevenfold and ninefold, respectively, since 2014. These investments are part of a broader strategy to modernize and expand India’s railway infrastructure, including the doubling and electrification of rail lines and the modernization of railway stations.
The Prime Minister also drew attention to the growing demand for Vande Bharat trains, noting that 102 such services are now operational across the country, having transported over 3 crore passengers to date. “Vande Bharat is the new face of the modernization of Indian Railways,” he said, stressing that the expansion of high-speed train services is crucial to improving the Ease of Living for citizens and facilitating the Ease of Doing Business.
The introduction of these new trains is expected to save passengers significant travel time. The Meerut—Lucknow Vande Bharat will cut down travel time by about an hour compared to the current fastest train, while the Chennai Egmore—Nagercoil and Madurai—Bengaluru routes will save travelers more than two hours and around an hour and a half, respectively.
As he concluded his address, Prime Minister Modi pledged that the government will continue its efforts to ensure that Indian Railways can offer a comfortable and efficient travel experience for all, regardless of their socio-economic status. He also reiterated the government’s focus on infrastructural development as a key driver in alleviating poverty and fostering economic growth.
The event was attended virtually by several dignitaries, including Union Minister for Railways Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw, Governor of Uttar Pradesh Smt Anandi Ben Patel, Governor of Tamil Nadu Shri R N Ravi, and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Shri Yogi Adityanath.
These new Vande Bharat trains represent a significant leap forward in providing world-class rail services across India, catering to the needs of regular travelers, professionals, and students alike.