PM Modi virtually flags off six Vande Bharat trains in Ranchi; Jamshedpur roadshow cancelled owing to heavy rains
On September 15, 2024, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated six new Vande Bharat trains for Jharkhand, Odisha, Bihar, and Uttar Pradesh from Ranchi.The PM was initially scheduled to flag off the trains from Tatanagar but had to do so virtually due to poor visibility and inclement weather conditions affecting his helicopter flight.
Image credit:- thehindu
On September 15, 2024, Prime Minister Narendra Modi virtually inaugurated six new Vande Bharat trains aimed at enhancing connectivity across Jharkhand, Odisha, Bihar, and Uttar Pradesh. The flag-off ceremony took place in Ranchi, although the Prime Minister had initially planned to launch the trains from Tatanagar. However, due to poor visibility and inclement weather, his helicopter was unable to take off, leading to a change in plans.
The new Vande Bharat trains will operate on six specific routes: Tatanagar-Patna, Brahmapur-Tatanagar, Rourkela-Howrah, Deoghar-Varanasi, Bhagalpur-Howrah, and Gaya-Howrah. These routes are expected to significantly improve travel efficiency and reduce journey times, benefiting regular commuters, professionals, students, and business travelers alike.
The introduction of these trains is anticipated to boost religious tourism in the region, providing faster access to important pilgrimage sites such as Baidyanath Dham in Deoghar, Kashi Vishwanath Temple in Varanasi, and Kalighat in Kolkata. Moreover, the enhanced connectivity will support local industries, including coal mining in Dhanbad, jute production in Kolkata, and the iron and steel sector in Durgapur.
During the virtual event, Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and Jharkhand Governor Santosh Kumar Gangwar were present at Tatanagar station. The Prime Minister emphasized the transformative impact of these new train services on the region's development, highlighting the government's commitment to improving infrastructure and connectivity.
The Vande Bharat trains are part of the "Make in India" initiative, showcasing India's engineering capabilities. The latest models, known as Vande Bharat 2.0, feature advanced safety systems, faster acceleration, and modern amenities, including WiFi and anti-virus technology. With the addition of these six trains, the total fleet of Vande Bharat trains will increase from 54 to 60, facilitating around 120 trips daily across 280 districts in 24 states and union territories.
In addition to the train launch, PM Modi laid the foundation stone for various railway projects valued at over ₹660 crores, further enhancing the transportation infrastructure in the region. The government aims to set new benchmarks in speed, safety, and service through these initiatives, revolutionizing travel in India and catering to the diverse needs of its citizens.
