New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagged off the Vande Bharat Express between Secunderabad and Visakhapatnam through a video presentation. This train is the eighth Vande Bharat Express to be launched by Indian Railways. Also, this is the first Vande Bharat train to connect the two states of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh.
Following this, Prime Minister Modi mentioned that in this auspicious atmosphere of celebrations, both the states are getting a great gift of combining the heritage of Andhra and Telangana. He congratulated the people of both the states on the occasion of the festival. Paying respects to soldiers on the occasion of Army Day, he said that the Indian Army is known for its bravery.
Referring to the festivals that connect all parts of the country, the Prime Minister mentioned that the Indian Railways also connects the length and breadth of the country as one Bharat, giving an opportunity to understand and connect the different parts of India.
Pointing out that the Vande Bharat Express will greatly benefit the passengers, the Prime Minister also said that the travel time between Secunderabad and Visakhapatnam will be reduced.
“Vande Bharat is a symbol of the potential and determination of the new India,” the Prime Minister said, adding, “It is a symbol of an India that has chosen the path of rapid growth.” The Prime Minister also said that this train represents an India that is eager towards its dreams and ambition, an India that wants to achieve its goals, an India that strives for excellence and an India that wants to give the best to its citizens. The Prime Minister also said that India is moving towards self-reliance by breaking the spirit of slavery.
The Prime Minister also pointed out the pace of work on Vande Bharat trains. He noted that the second Vande Bharat train will be launched within the first 15 days of this year, indicating the pace of change in the field. He highlighted the domestic production of Vande Bharat trains and their impact on people’s minds. The Prime Minister also said that 7 Vande Bharat trains have covered a distance of 23 lakh kilometers, which is equivalent to circling the earth 58 times. The Prime Minister also mentioned that more than 40 lakh passengers have traveled on the Vande Bharat train so far.
The Prime Minister said that infrastructure related to connectivity not only connects two places but also connects dreams to reality, production to market and talent to the right platform. The Prime Minister pointed out that connectivity expands the possibilities of development. Prime Minister said.
Recalling a time when the benefits of modern-day connectivity were available to a select few, the Prime Minister said most people suffered because expensive transport wasted too much time. Prime Minister Modi also mentioned that Vande Bharat Rail is an example of a vision to move away from that thinking and connect all with speed and progress. With good and honest intentions, when these problems were addressed, the negative image and attitude of the Railways changed and this was the mantra that transformed the Indian Railways in the last eight years, the Prime Minister said.
The Prime Minister also said that traveling on Indian Railways today is becoming a pleasant experience. He said that many railway stations reflect the image of modern India and that “the work done in the last 7-8 years will transform Indian Railways in the next 7-8 years”. Prime Minister Modi also said that the rapid rail transport system of the future is fast developing with Vistadome coaches and traditional trains to promote tourism, Kisan train to transport agricultural produce to distant markets and metro rail to more than 2 dozen cities.
Prime Minister Modi pointed out the speedy work done in Telangana in the last 8 years in relation to railways. The Prime Minister said that before 2014, Telangana State Railways was allocated less than Rs 250 crore and today it has increased to Rs 3000 crore. Many areas like Medak in Telangana are now being connected by train service for the first time, he said. He mentioned that in the 8 years prior to 2014, less than 125 km of new railway lines were laid in Telangana and in the last few years around 325 km of new railway lines were laid in Telangana. The Prime Minister said that more than 250 km of ‘track multi-tracking’ work has been done in Telangana and the electrification of railway lines in the state has increased 3 times. The Prime Minister also said that electrification of all broad gauge routes in Telangana will be completed very soon.
Mentioning that the Vande Bharat train has been launched in Andhra Pradesh, the Prime Minister said that the central government is continuously working to strengthen the railway infrastructure in Andhra Pradesh. Highlighting the efforts taken by the Central Government to make life simple and ease of doing business, the Prime Minister mentioned that 350 kilometers of new railway lines and around 800 kilometers of multi-tracking construction work have been completed in Andhra Pradesh in the last few years. Prime Minister Modi pointed out that compared to the period before 2014, only 60 kilometers of railway lines were electrified annually during the previous government in Andhra Pradesh, and now more than 220 kilometers of railway lines are being electrified annually.
PM Modi concluded his speech by congratulating everyone on board the Vande Bharat Express train between Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, saying, “May this momentum and progress continue.”
Governor Tamilisai Soundararajan, Union Ministers Ashwini Vaishnav, Kishan Reddy, State Ministers, Members of Parliament and many others participated in the event.
Background
It is the eighth Vande Bharat Express train launched by Indian Railways. This will reduce the travel time from Secunderabad to Visakhapatnam from twelve and a half hours to eight and a half hours.
Vande Bharat Express coaches are indigenously designed and equipped with state-of-the-art facilities. It will provide a faster and more convenient travel experience for train passengers.
The introduction of Vande Bharat Express will help boost tourism in the region and provide a convenient and fast mode of travel. The train has improved features such as reaching a speed of 100 kmph in 52 seconds and a top speed of 180 kmph.
Glad to flag off Vande Bharat Express between Secunderabad and Visakhapatnam. It will enhance ‘Ease of Living’, boost tourism and benefit the economy. https://t.co/FadvxI0ZNQ
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 15, 2023
