MUMBAI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi today, February 10, flagged off two Vande Bharat Express trains in Mumbai. The new additions take the total number of Vande Bharat Express trains in India to 10. The Prime Minister said the Vande Bharat Express trains exemplify the velocityt and scale of India's progress. 

Speaking on the occasion, PM said these trains will benefit students and office-goers while also facilitating devotees and farmers.

"Two Vande Bharat trains were flagged off simultaneously for the first time. They will link major religious sites to financial hubs like Mumbai and Pune. They will help students, workers, farmers, and enthusiasts. Additionally, pilgrimage and tourism will increase " said PM Modi.

He added that as of right now, 108 districts across 17 states are connected by Vande Bharat trains. "A stunning representation of modern India is provided by the Vande Bharat train. It is an illustration of the rate and scope of India's development. You can observe how quickly the nation is introducing Vande Bharat trains. In the nation right now, ten such trains are in service. The Vande Bharat Express has connected 108 districts across 17 states "he said.

PM Modi said the Parliament members are now demanding the Vande Bharat trains in their cities."There was a period when the they would write to us asking for express train stops to be added in their districts. The MPs now want me to make sure that Vande Bharat trains connect their cities or electoral districts when they come to see me. Such is the current enthusiasm around Vande Bharat trains "he said.

The new and upgraded version of Vande Bharat Express will run between Mumbai and Solapur and Mumbai and Sainagar Shirdi and vice versa.

The ninth Vande Bharat train, the Mumbai-Solapur train, would connect the nation's commercial centre with Hutatmas and the City of Textiles in Maharashtra and offer faster access to pilgrimage sites like Alandi near Pune, Akkalkot, Tuljapur, and Pandharpur near Solapur.

As per Railways, the current superfast train takes 7 hours and 55 minutes to complete the same route, whereas Vande Bharat will do so in 6 hours and 30 minutes, saving 1 hour and 30 minutes. Additionally, it will link Pune's educational centre, textile hub, tourist attractions, and places of worship.

The 10th Vande Bharat train in the nation, the Mumbai-Sainagar Shirdi Vande Bharat Express, would improve connection to significant pilgrimage sites in Maharashtra's Nashik, Trimbakeshwar, Sainagar Shirdi, and Shani Singapur.

The Vande Bharat Train is a self-propelled, semi-high speed train set that is built domestically. Modern passenger facilities on board the train make for a much speedier, more comfortable, and more convenient journey for rail passengers.

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