The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi flagged off the Vande Bharat Express, connecting Howrah to New Jalpaiguri via video conferencing.
More Details:
- He further added that India had taken a resolve to start 475 Vande Bharat trains during the celebrations of the Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav and the train being flagged off from Howrah to New Jalpaiguri is one of them.
- He also laid the foundation stone for the redevelopment of the New Jalpaiguri Railway Station.
- The PM also dedicated four railway projects to the nation including Boinchi – Shaktigarh 3rd Line, Dankuni – Chandanpur 4th Line Project, Nimtita – New Farakka Double Line and Ambari Falakata – New Maynaguri – Gumanihat Doubling Project.
- Reforms and development of Indian Railways with the development of the country. The central government is making record investments in the modern railway infrastructure. A nationwide campaign is going on to transform the Indian Railway.
- Modern trains like Vande Bharat, Tejas Hum Safar and Vista Dome coaches and the modernisation of Railway Stations including New Jalpaiguri, doubling and electrification of Railway lines as examples of this modernization. He also mentioned eastern and Western dedicated freight corridors as projects that will bring revolutionary changes in the logistics sector.
- Strides made in the fields of Railway safety, cleanliness, coordination, capability, punctuality and facilities. Indian Railways worked on the foundation of modernity and the coming years will see Indian Railway embarking on a new journey of modernization. While 20 thousand route kilometre rail lines were electrified in the first 70 years of Independence, more than 32 thousand route kilometres have been electrified since 2014.
Background:
- The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi flagged off the 7th Vande Bharat Express, connecting Howrah to New Jalpaiguri at the Howrah Railway Station. The ultra-modern Semi High-Speed Train is equipped with state-of-the-art passenger amenities. The train will stop at Malda Town, Barsoi and Kishanganj stations en route in both directions.
- The Prime Minister also dedicated four railway projects to the nation. These include the Boinchi – Shaktigarh 3rd Line developed at a cost of Rs 405 crore; the Dankuni – Chandanpur 4th Line Project developed at a cost of Rs 565 crore; Nimtita – New Farakka Double Line developed at a cost of Rs 254 crore; and Ambari Falakata – New Maynaguri – Gumanihat Doubling Project developed at a cost of more than Rs 1080 crore.
- The Prime Minister also laid the foundation stone for the redevelopment of the New Jalpaiguri Railway Station to be developed at the cost of more than Rs 335 crore.
Source: PIB- Press Release | Image Credit (representational): Southern Railway
