The wait for India’s first Vande Bharat sleeper train will now end after a few hours. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will flag off this train on January 17. Along with this, PM is also going to start 7 Amrit Bharat Express trains. Apart from rail, he will inaugurate, lay the foundation stone and inaugurate many important development projects related to road and water transport. On January 17, at around 12:45 pm, the Prime Minister will reach Malda and flag off the country’s first Vande Bharat sleeper train from Malda Town Railway Station. This train will run between Howrah to Guwahati (Kamakhya). Besides, he will also flag off the Guwahati (Kamakhya)–Howrah Vande Bharat Sleeper train virtually.
Travel time will be reduced by about two and a half hours
The fully air-conditioned Vande Bharat Sleeper train will provide passengers with aircraft-like facilities at affordable fares. This train will reduce the travel time on Howrah-Guwahati route by about 2.5 hours, which will give a big boost to long distance travel, religious tourism and tourism sector. The Prime Minister will also lay the foundation stone of four major railway projects in West Bengal, including the Balurghat–Hilli new railway line, modern freight maintenance facility at New Jalpaiguri, upgradation of Siliguri loco shed and modernization of maintenance infrastructure of Vande Bharat trains in Jalpaiguri district. This will strengthen passenger and freight services and create new employment opportunities.
Additionally, the Prime Minister will dedicate to the nation the electrification of New Cooch Behar–Bamanhat and New Cooch Behar–Boxirhat rail lines, which will enable faster, cleaner and energy efficient rail operations.
7 new Amrit Bharat Express trains will also be started
New Jalpaiguri–Nagercoil Amrit Bharat Express
New Jalpaiguri–Tiruchirappalli Amrit Bharat Express
Alipurduar–SMVT Bengaluru Amrit Bharat Express
Alipurduar–Mumbai (Panvel) Amrit Bharat Express
Kolkata (Howrah)–Anand Vihar Terminal
Kolkata (Sealdah) – Banaras
Kolkata (Santragachi)–Tambaram
All these projects will strengthen the creation of modern infrastructure in Eastern and North-Eastern India and this region will emerge as a major engine of development of the country. These trains will strengthen affordable and reliable long distance rail connectivity for common commuters, students, migrant workers and businessmen. Additionally, two new trains equipped with LHB coaches – Radhikapur – SMVT Bengaluru Express and Balurghat – SMVT Bengaluru Express – will also be flagged off, providing youth, students and IT professionals with direct connectivity to major employment hubs like Bengaluru.
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