Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched nine additional Vande Bharat Express trains via video conferencing, expanding the semi-high-speed rail network to 34 trains. These new trains will enhance rail connectivity across 11 states, significantly reducing travel times.
The Prime Minister emphasised that the development of this infrastructure aligns with the aspirations of India’s 140 crore citizens, focusing on multi-modal connectivity and streamlined commuting.
The nine newly flagged-off trains will traverse through Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Bihar, West Bengal, Kerala, Odisha, Jharkhand, and Gujarat.
Ashwini Vaishnaw, Union Minister, highlighted the remarkable transformation of the railway system over the past nine years. The Vande Bharat trains will notably reduce travel times between cities, with the most significant time savings on routes such as Hyderabad–Bengaluru, Rourkela–Bhubaneswar–Puri, Kasaragod–Thiruvananthapuram, Tirunelveli–Madurai–Chennai, and more. These trains will enhance connectivity and boost tourism while catering to the evolving travel needs of the country.
