Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated five new Vande Bharat Express trains in a ceremony held at Rani Kamlapati railway station in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh. The event took place both physically and virtually on Tuesday. The Prime Minister shared the news on Twitter, expressing that these trains would enhance connectivity in several states, including Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Goa, Bihar, and Jharkhand.
Meanwhile, due to the possibility of heavy rains, Prime Minister Modi’s scheduled visit to Lalpur and Pakaria in Shahdol district was postponed, as announced by Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan. However, the Prime Minister’s program in Bhopal remained unaffected. The Chief Minister mentioned that the new date for the visit would be decided based on weather conditions and assured that preparations for the program in Lalpur would continue.
At approximately 10:30 a.m., Prime Minister Modi inaugurated the five Vande Bharat Express trains. The trains are as follows: Rani Kamlapati-Jabalpur Vande Bharat Express, Khajuraho-Bhopal-Indore Vande Bharat Express, Madgaon (Goa)-Mumbai Vande Bharat Express, Dharwad-Bengaluru Vande Bharat Express, and Hatia-Patna Vande Bharat Express.
The Rani Kamlapati-Jabalpur Vande Bharat Express will connect the Mahakaushal Region (Jabalpur) to the central region (Bhopal) of Madhya Pradesh, facilitating improved connectivity to tourist destinations like Bhedaghat, Pachmarhi, and Satpura. The train is expected to be around thirty minutes faster than the current fastest train on the route.
The Khajuraho-Bhopal-Indore Vande Bharat Express aims to enhance connectivity between the Malwa region (Indore), Bundelkhand region (Khajuraho), and the central region (Bhopal). This will benefit important tourist sites such as Mahakaleshwar, Mandu, Maheshwar, Khajuraho, and Panna. The train is projected to be approximately two hours and thirty minutes faster than the existing fastest train on the route.
The Madgaon (Goa)-Mumbai Vande Bharat Express will be Goa’s first Vande Bharat Express, operating between Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus in Mumbai and Madgaon station in Goa. It will reduce travel time by around one hour compared to the current fastest train connecting the two destinations.
The Dharwad-Bengaluru Vande Bharat Express will establish connectivity between the significant cities of Dharwad, Hubballi, and Davangere in Karnataka with the state capital, Bengaluru. This will greatly benefit tourists, students, and industrialists in the region. The train is expected to be approximately thirty minutes faster than the current fastest train on the route.
Also Read | Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Inaugurate Five New Vande Bharat Express Trains Tomorrow
The Hatia-Patna Vande Bharat Express will serve as the first Vande Bharat Express for Jharkhand and Bihar. By improving connectivity between Patna and Ranchi, the train will be advantageous for tourists, students, and businessmen. It is estimated to reduce travel time by about one hour and twenty-five minutes compared to the current fastest train connecting the two cities, according to an official statement.