New Delhi, September 15, 2024: Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagged off six new Vande Bharat trains today, further expanding India’s semi-high-speed train network, according to a statement released by the Prime Minister’s Office. The virtual inauguration was held at Tatanagar Junction Railway Station in Jharkhand, marking a significant milestone for the country’s indigenous rail development. These new trains are part of the ongoing effort to enhance connectivity, improve passenger safety, and provide advanced travel amenities.
The newly launched Vande Bharat routes include Tatanagar-Patna, Brahmapur-Tatanagar, Rourkela-Howrah, Deoghar-Varanasi, Bhagalpur-Howrah, and Gaya-Howrah. These routes are expected to offer faster travel times, safer journeys, and enhanced passenger experiences, according to the Indian Railways. In addition to the train launches, Prime Minister Modi laid the foundation for several rail infrastructure projects worth more than ₹660 crore.
Vande Bharat, India’s first indigenously designed and manufactured semi-high-speed train, was initially introduced in 2019. Since then, 54 Vande Bharat trains have been deployed across the country, completing around 36,000 trips and serving over 3.17 crore passengers. The upgraded Vande Bharat 2.0 model, which features faster acceleration, advanced safety systems like Kavach, and improved amenities such as WiFi and anti-virus protection, reflects the Indian government’s commitment to modernizing the nation’s railway system.
“These trains not only highlight the success of the ‘Make in India’ initiative but also set new standards for speed, safety, and service,” the Railway Ministry stated. The expansion of Vande Bharat services aligns with the broader goal of making Indian rail travel more efficient, comfortable, and capable of meeting the diverse needs of passengers across the country.
Beyond the Vande Bharat train launches, Prime Minister Modi dedicated several key infrastructure projects to the nation. These include the Kurkura-Kanaroan double line, which is part of the Bondamunda-Ranchi section, and is expected to significantly improve both goods and passenger mobility. The project also connects Rourkela-Gomoh via Ranchi, Muri, and Chandrapura stations. Additionally, four road under bridges (RUBs) were inaugurated to enhance road safety.
Among other initiatives, the foundation stone was laid for the Madhupur Bypass line in Deoghar district, designed to reduce travel time between Giridih and Jasidih by avoiding train detentions on the Howrah-Delhi mainline. The Hazaribagh Town Coaching Depot project was also launched, aimed at improving the maintenance of rail coaches, further enhancing operational efficiency.
With these projects, Indian Railways is on track to meet its goal of revolutionizing travel and improving infrastructure across the nation. The new Vande Bharat trains and associated projects are set to create a more seamless and safer travel experience for passengers while boosting the overall mobility across key routes.
Source: Press Information Bureau
