Prime Minister Narendra Modi today emphasized that trains like Vande Bharat, Namo Bharat, and Amrit Bharat are setting the groundwork for the future of Indian Railways. Speaking after the launch of four new Vande Bharat Express trains from Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, he flagged off the Banaras-Khajuraho Vande Bharat train, along with three other trains, via a virtual event aimed at improving connectivity across major regions of the country. These trains will serve routes including Lucknow-Saharanpur, Firozpur-Delhi, and Ernakulam-Bengaluru.
During his address, Modi noted the positive response from foreign tourists who are now impressed by the Vande Bharat trains. He highlighted that more than 160 of these trains are currently operational in India, celebrating this milestone with the citizens. The Prime Minister pointed out that improved infrastructure is crucial for regional development, explaining that better connectivity allows cities to grow independently. He added that infrastructure heavily influences economic development in advanced nations and reaffirmed India’s swift progress on this front.
Union Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath also attended the event. Following the launch, Modi interacted with children on board the newly inaugurated Banaras-Khajuraho train. The introduction of these four Vande Bharat trains is expected to significantly reduce travel times between key destinations, enhancing regional mobility, boosting tourism, and fostering economic activities nationwide.
The Banaras-Khajuraho Vande Bharat train will provide direct connectivity on its route, reducing travel time by approximately 2 hours and 40 minutes compared to currently operational special trains. This service will connect some of India’s most significant religious and cultural sites, including Varanasi, Prayagraj, Chitrakoot, and Khajuraho. The Lucknow-Saharanpur Vande Bharat will shorten travel time to about 7 hours and 45 minutes, saving nearly an hour for passengers.
This initiative will greatly benefit travelers from Lucknow, Sitapur, Shahjahanpur, Bareilly, Moradabad, Bijnor, and Saharanpur, while making access to the spiritual city of Haridwar easier via Roorkee. The Firozpur-Delhi Vande Bharat train will become the quickest service on this route, completing the journey in just 6 hours and 40 minutes and enhancing links between the national capital and key Punjabi cities such as Firozpur, Bathinda, and Patiala.
In Southern India, the Ernakulam-Bengaluru Vande Bharat train will cut travel time by over 2 hours, covering the journey in 8 hours and 40 minutes. This route will facilitate quicker and more comfortable travel for professionals, students, and tourists between major IT and commercial hubs. Modi arrived in his parliamentary constituency, Varanasi, last evening, where he received a grand welcome from locals and party workers.
Original Source: https://www.newsonair.gov.in/pm-narendra-modi-flags-off-4-vande-bharat-express-trains-from-varanasi-uttar-pradesh/
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Publish Date: 2025-11-08 13:50:00
