Monitoring Desk,12-Apr; Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagged off Rajasthan’s first Vande Bharat Express train through video conferencing this morning. The train will run between Ajmer and Delhi Cantt. from tomorrow, with stops at Jaipur, Alwar and Gurugram.
Addressing the programme, the Prime Minister said Vande Bharat Express enriches the spirit of ‘India First, Always First’. He said this train has become synonymous with development, modernity, self-reliance and stability.
The Prime Minister said the Vande Bharat Express will immensely benefit the tourism industry of Rajasthan. He said it is his fortune to flag off the sixth Vande Bharat Express in the last two months. He said after the commencement of Vande Bharat trains, more than 60 lakh people have travelled in these trains. Mr. Modi said each Vande Bharat train is saving about 2,500 hours of people.
Mr. Modi said that corruption has affected the modernization of Indian Railways in the past. He said that selfish politics had always overshadowed the modernization of the railways. He said that large-scale corruption did not let development happen in the railways. Mr Modi said the Government of India has done unprecedented work to strengthen the rail and road network in Rajasthan.
Recently, he inaugurated the Delhi-Dausa-Lalsot section of Delhi-Mumbai Expressway. He said that roads are also being developed on a large scale in the border areas of the state.
Addressing the programme Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnav said that continuous efforts are being made to make the railways modern, speedy and safe.
Rajasthan Governor Kalraj Mishra, Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, BJP State President CP Joshi, several MPs and MLAs were present in the programme.
The new Vande Bharat Express will cover the distance between Delhi Cantt. and Ajmer in 5 hours 15 minutes. The fastest train on the same route, Shatabdi Express, takes 6 hours 15 minutes from Delhi Cantt. to Ajmer.
Thus, the new Vande Bharat Express will be faster by 60 minutes as compared to the present fastest train running on the same route.
