NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is poised to inaugurate a fleet of nine cutting-edge Vande Bharat Express trains on September 24th, with the ceremony scheduled for 12:30 PM and to be conducted via video conferencing. These new additions to the Vande Bharat fleet mark a significant leap forward in bolstering nationwide connectivity while raising the bar for passenger amenities, according to an official press release from the Prime Minister's Office.
Minister of Railways Ashwini Vaishnaw stated, "Tomorrow, PM Modi will usher in the era of the Jamnagar-Ahmedabad Vande Bharat Train right here."
The nine Vande Bharat Express trains slated for inauguration are as follows:
Udaipur – Jaipur Vande Bharat Express
Tirunelveli-Madurai-Chennai Vande Bharat Express
Hyderabad – Bengaluru Vande Bharat Express
Vijayawada – Chennai (via Renigunta) Vande Bharat Express
Patna – Howrah Vande Bharat Express
Kasaragod - Thiruvananthapuram Vande Bharat Express
Rourkela - Bhubaneswar – Puri Vande Bharat Express
Ranchi – Howrah Vande Bharat Express
Jamnagar-Ahmedabad Vande Bharat Express
The introduction of these nine trains is aimed at bolstering connectivity across eleven states, including Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Bihar, West Bengal, Kerala, Odisha, Jharkhand, and Gujarat. These Vande Bharat trains are expected to become the fastest options on their respective routes, substantially reducing travel time for passengers.
For example, the Rourkela-Bhubaneswar-Puri Vande Bharat Express and Kasaragod-Thiruvananthapuram Vande Bharat Express are set to be approximately three hours faster than the current fastest trains on their respective routes.
Likewise, the Hyderabad – Bengaluru Vande Bharat Express is expected to trim more than 2.5 hours off travel times, while the Tirunelveli-Madurai-Chennai Vande Bharat Express will slash journey durations by over 2 hours.
Aligned with Prime Minister Modi's vision to enhance connectivity to important religious destinations, the Rourkela-Bhubaneswar-Puri Vande Bharat Express and Tirunelveli-Madurai-Chennai Vande Bharat Express will link significant pilgrimage towns of Puri and Madurai. Additionally, the Vijayawada – Chennai Vande Bharat Express, operating via the Renigunta route, will offer seamless connectivity to the revered Tirupati Pilgrimage Centre.
These freshly introduced Vande Bharat trains are poised to establish a new benchmark for rail services in India. Boasting world-class amenities and advanced safety features, including state-of-the-art technology, they represent a significant stride toward providing modern, swift, and comfortable travel options for a diverse range of passengers, including commuters, professionals, business travelers, students, and tourists alike.
Second Vande Bharat Express in Kerala: A New Era in Rail Travel
Bangalore-Hyderabad Vande Bharat Express Fare Announcement Likely on Sept 23
Vande Bharat's Grand Entry into Kerala: Timetable, Reservations, and Destinations, and More