PRIME MINISTER FLAGS OFF 7 VANDE BHARAT TRAINS FROM JHARKHAND, BOOSTING CONNECTIVITY AND ECONOMIC GROWTH
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi flagged off seven new Vande Bharat Express trains from Jharkhand today, marking a significant milestone in India’s efforts to modernise its rail network. The Vande Bharat Express trains have become a hallmark of Indian Railways’ modernization efforts since their inception in 2019. With these new additions, the fleet now stands at 54 trains covering 24 States and Union Territories, with connectivity to over 280 districts. These trains, designed and manufactured indigenously, set a new benchmark for luxury, speed and inclusivity in rail travel, featuring advanced amenities like ergonomic seats and Divyangjan-friendly facilities.
As these trains begin service, they are expected to provide a significant boost to both religious tourism, socio-economic and industrial growth across the regions they serve. These new semi-high-speed trains, including the Howrah-Rourkela Vande Bharat Express, are expected to revolutionise rail travel by offering a faster, more comfortable travelling experience for passengers. The trains were flagged off via video conferencing at 11:00 am. These state-of-the-art trains will operate on key routes: Tatanagar-Patna, Bhagalpur-Dumka-Howrah, Brahmapur-Tatanagar, Howrah–Rourkela, Gaya-Howrah, Deoghar-Varanasi and Rourkela-Howrah. Such a novel initiative is set to boost connectivity and economic activities, benefiting professionals, students and business communities while promoting tourism to religious destinations such as Baidyanath Dham, Kashi Vishwanath Temple, and Kalighat.
The grand inaugural ceremony of the Howrah-Rourkela Vande Bharat Express was held at the Howrah station today, where dignitaries, school students and Railway officials were present. During the inaugural event, the Governor of West Bengal, Dr C V Ananda Bose delivered a heartfelt speech via audio message, praising the Indian Railways for its contribution to the growth and development of the nation. He emphasised how Indian Railways is not just a mode of transport but a unifying force connecting even the remotest regions of the country. The Governor expressed pride in the launch of these Vande Bharat trains, calling them a “symbol of national progress” and commending Prime Minister Modi for his vision. He particularly highlighted the benefits these trains would bring to key sectors such as coal, jute and steel industries, which are central to the economies of regions like Dhanbad and Kolkata.
The Union Minister of State of Education and Development of North Eastern Region, Dr. Sukanta Majumder also addressed the gathering, expressing his admiration for the modernisation efforts of Indian Railways under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi. He stated, the Vande Bharat Express trains are more than just fast trains—they represent the country’s drive towards becoming a “Viksit Bharat” (developed India). Dr. Majumder also outlined how the Indian Railways is becoming a lifeline for economic growth, contributing to both social and economic mobility. He concluded his speech by urging citizens to take pride in Indian Railways, which he described as a “national treasure” that unites the country.
Eastern Railway (ER) organised a cultural programme to celebrate the occasion and awarded successful students in drawing and essay competitions. The cultural programme at Howrah station included a prize distribution ceremony, where several young students were honoured for their achievements in drawing and essay competitions. Notable awardees included Master Shibu Das from Kendriya Vidyalaya, who won first place in the drawing competition and Master Shivam Das, a Class 3 student, who also excelled in the drawing category. Master Devangshu Pathak from Sishu Bihar School, Bamangachi, was another winner recognized for his creativity in the drawing competition. Essay competition winners included Santuti Mukherjee and Atra Raj from Kendriya Vidyalaya Bamangachi, as well as Sreya Kumari and Meghna Pal, who were honoured for their excellent essays. These students were felicitated for their talent, symbolising the engagement of the youth in national progress.
In addition to the launch of the Vande Bharat trains, Prime Minister Modi also distributed sanction letters to 20,000 beneficiaries under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana – Gramin (PMAY-G) scheme. He participated in the Griha Pravesh celebrations of 46,000 households and released the first installment of financial assistance to the beneficiaries. This move is part of the government’s broader “Housing for All” initiative, aimed at providing affordable homes to the needy.
Among the seven new Vande Bharat trains, three belong to the ER zone. These trains are:
• Bhagalpur – Dumka – Howrah Vande Bharat Express
• This train will significantly reduce travel time between Bhagalpur, Dumka, and Howrah, offering a faster and more comfortable journey for passengers in these key districts of Jharkhand and West Bengal.
Deoghar – Varanasi Vande Bharat Express
• Connecting two major religious hubs, this train is expected to boost religious tourism to Baidyanath Dham in Deoghar, Jharkhand and Kashi Vishwanath Temple in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh.
Gaya – Howrah Vande Bharat Express
• The Gaya-Howrah route will serve thousands of passengers, including students, professionals and tourists, reducing travel time between these two critical cities in Bihar and West Bengal.
With the introduction of these seven new Vande Bharat trains, Indian Railways continues to stride towards transforming India’s transport infrastructure. As these trains commence their journeys, they bring with them the promise of faster, more reliable travel, enhanced industrial growth, and a boost to tourism in various regions.
