News Analysis India

Tag: Vande Bharat Express

  • PM Modi’s Twin Gifts To UP Today: Eastern Dedicated Freight Corridor, Vande Bharat Express |

    New Delhi: On Monday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will unveil the new Deen Dayal Upadhyay Junction to New Bhaupur Junction stretch of the Eastern Dedicated Freight Corridor (DFC), a vital project for the logistics sector. The 402 km-long section, which cost Rs 10,903 crores, runs along the Delhi-Howrah rail route, covering districts such as Chandauli, Mirzapur, Prayagraj, Kaushambi, Fatehpur, Kanpur Nagar and Kanpur Dehat in Uttar Pradesh. It has 12 stations, comprising six junction stations and six crossing stations.

    The corridor links the coal fields of Jharkhand and West Bengal, such as Eastern Coalfields Limited, Central Coalfields Limited, Bharat Coking Coal Limited and Northern Coalfields Limited, to power plants in Northern India. With freight trains running at speeds of up to 100 km/h on this corridor, the quick delivery of coal to power plants has resulted in lower logistic costs and time. Moreover, the transportation of essential goods, such as iron and steel, has become more effective.

    The inauguration of this segment has not only relieved the congestion on the Delhi-Howrah main line but has also enabled the fast and smooth operation of trains on the freight corridor. This has paved the way for the introduction of more passenger train services on the Delhi-Howrah main line.

    Near New Kanpur Junction, a multimodal logistics park will be developed, offering efficient cargo transportation facilities and creating new employment opportunities in the region.

    The completion of this project has not only enhanced the transportation of goods in the region but has also stimulated economic and commercial activities. This has generated new job opportunities for the youth in sectors such as agriculture, food processing, MSMEs, and handicrafts.

    The Eastern Dedicated Freight Corridor is a reflection of the government’s commitment to modernising infrastructure and promoting economic growth across the country.

    New Vande Bharat Express Between Delhi And Varanasi

    The Indian Railways is ready to start operations of an advanced semi-high-speed train, Vande Bharat, improving connectivity between Uttar Pradesh and the national capital. To mark this significant milestone, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will launch the second Vande Bharat Express train running between Varanasi and New Delhi.

    The launch of this Vande Bharat Express from Varanasi is expected to benefit travellers heading to Prayagraj, Kanpur and New Delhi, offering an additional fast and modern travel option. The initiative not only saves passengers time but also boosts cultural, industrial, and economic development in the region.

    Starting its journey from the spiritual city of Varanasi, the train will pass through Prayagraj, Kanpur and reach the national capital, New Delhi. This new service will especially benefit pilgrims heading to Prayagraj and professionals travelling between the industrial hub of Kanpur and the bustling city of New Delhi.

    The regular operation of the Vande Bharat Express is scheduled to commence on December 20, 2023. Departing from Varanasi at 6:00 AM, the train will reach Prayagraj at 07:34 AM, Kanpur Central at 09:30 AM and finally, New Delhi at 2:05 PM.

  • MP: Bhopal-bound Vande Bharat Express hits cow near Gwalior

    By PTI

    GWALIOR: The newly-launched Hazrat Nizamuddin-Rani Kamalapati Vande Bharat Express hit a cow near Gwalior station in Madhya Pradesh on Thursday evening, resulting in damage to the train’s front portion, a Railway official said.

    The Rani Kamalapati-bound train (No 20172) hit the cow around 6.15 pm and stopped at the spot for about 15 minutes, the official said.

    The accident took place when the animal suddenly came on the rail tracks going towards Dabra in Gwalior district, he said.

    After necessary repairs of the damaged portion, the train resumed its onward journey, the official added.

    The semi-high-speed train between Rani Kamalapati (Bhopal) and Hazrat Nizamuddin (Delhi) was flagged off by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on April 1. 

    GWALIOR: The newly-launched Hazrat Nizamuddin-Rani Kamalapati Vande Bharat Express hit a cow near Gwalior station in Madhya Pradesh on Thursday evening, resulting in damage to the train’s front portion, a Railway official said.

    The Rani Kamalapati-bound train (No 20172) hit the cow around 6.15 pm and stopped at the spot for about 15 minutes, the official said.

    The accident took place when the animal suddenly came on the rail tracks going towards Dabra in Gwalior district, he said.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    After necessary repairs of the damaged portion, the train resumed its onward journey, the official added.

    The semi-high-speed train between Rani Kamalapati (Bhopal) and Hazrat Nizamuddin (Delhi) was flagged off by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on April 1. 

  • Irked by ‘Jai Shri Ram’ slogan, Mamata refuses to share dais during Vande Bharat Express inauguration

    By Express News Service

    KOLKATA: Irked by the ‘Jai Shri Ram’ slogan at the virtual inauguration event of West Bengal’s first Vande Bharat Express by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee refused to share the stage at Howrah station.

    Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, who was present at the event, was seen trying to control the BJP supporters and requested them to refrain from shouting slogans. He pleaded with Mamata and requested her to come on the dais which she refused.

    Governor CV Ananda Bose was seen interacting with Mamata. The Bengal CM even refused to deliver a speech. But, however, following repeated requests from the governor, Mamata delivered a brief speech expressing her condolences over the death of Modi’s mother.

    A political slugfest erupted over the issue of the slogan. Firhad Hakim, a minister in Mamata’s cabinet, said the BJP supporters deliberately shouted the slogan to irritate the chief minister. ‘’Jai Shri Ram should be said in a temple or house with a pure mind. But the BJP supporters are using this slogan to irritate our chief minister. Had we wanted we could have stopped them immediately. But we believe in political courtesy,’’ he said.

    This is not the first time Mamata expressed her discontent over raising the ‘Jai Shri Ram’ slogan. In 2021, on the occasion of celebrating the birthday of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose at Victoria Memorial in Kolkata, where Modi and other Union ministers were present, BJP supporters raised the slogan as soon as Mamata appeared on the stage. Expressing her displeasure, Mamata said the government programme should follow certain decorum. ‘’It is unexpected to insult any invited person at such an event. So, in protest, I refuse to say anything here. Jai Hind. Jai Bangla,’’ she said in her brief address.

    ALSO READ | PM Modi virtually flags off Howrah-NJP Vande Bharat express

    The event took a political turn as soon as the BJP supporters shouted the slogan and in retaliation, TMC supporters shouted Trinamool Congress zindabad (long live TMC).

    Throughout the programme, Mamata sat on a chair adjacent to the dais. ‘’I express my condolences over the demise of Heeraben Modi, the mother of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Sir, I would like to request you to show your love for your mother through your act,’’ she said in her brief speech.

    BJP MP Locket Chatterjee said the slogan was raised when the Prime Minister appeared online to inaugurate the express train. ‘’The slogan was not raised to irritate the chief minister. No one should find politics in it,’’ she said.

    KOLKATA: Irked by the ‘Jai Shri Ram’ slogan at the virtual inauguration event of West Bengal’s first Vande Bharat Express by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee refused to share the stage at Howrah station.

    Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, who was present at the event, was seen trying to control the BJP supporters and requested them to refrain from shouting slogans. He pleaded with Mamata and requested her to come on the dais which she refused.

    Governor CV Ananda Bose was seen interacting with Mamata. The Bengal CM even refused to deliver a speech. But, however, following repeated requests from the governor, Mamata delivered a brief speech expressing her condolences over the death of Modi’s mother.

    A political slugfest erupted over the issue of the slogan. Firhad Hakim, a minister in Mamata’s cabinet, said the BJP supporters deliberately shouted the slogan to irritate the chief minister. ‘’Jai Shri Ram should be said in a temple or house with a pure mind. But the BJP supporters are using this slogan to irritate our chief minister. Had we wanted we could have stopped them immediately. But we believe in political courtesy,’’ he said.

    This is not the first time Mamata expressed her discontent over raising the ‘Jai Shri Ram’ slogan. In 2021, on the occasion of celebrating the birthday of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose at Victoria Memorial in Kolkata, where Modi and other Union ministers were present, BJP supporters raised the slogan as soon as Mamata appeared on the stage. Expressing her displeasure, Mamata said the government programme should follow certain decorum. ‘’It is unexpected to insult any invited person at such an event. So, in protest, I refuse to say anything here. Jai Hind. Jai Bangla,’’ she said in her brief address.

    ALSO READ | PM Modi virtually flags off Howrah-NJP Vande Bharat express

    The event took a political turn as soon as the BJP supporters shouted the slogan and in retaliation, TMC supporters shouted Trinamool Congress zindabad (long live TMC).

    Throughout the programme, Mamata sat on a chair adjacent to the dais. ‘’I express my condolences over the demise of Heeraben Modi, the mother of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Sir, I would like to request you to show your love for your mother through your act,’’ she said in her brief speech.

    BJP MP Locket Chatterjee said the slogan was raised when the Prime Minister appeared online to inaugurate the express train. ‘’The slogan was not raised to irritate the chief minister. No one should find politics in it,’’ she said.

  • PM Modi flags off Nagpur-Bilaspur Vande Bharat Express

    Express News Service

    NEW DELHI: Giving another boost to rail mobility by India ‘s premier indigenously manufactured Vande Bharat train, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday flagged off country’s 6th new generation Vande Bharat train from Nagpur Railway Station in Maharashtra.This 6th Vande Bharat train will run between Nagpur and Bilaspur giving top class journey comforts to the riders with hi-tech world class facilities,such rotable seats and wide window for seeing panoramic views of railside areas.

    The entire coaches have been brought under CCTV cameras surveillance and hi-tech air-purifier system that kills the airborne bacterias or virus inside the coaches.

    Recently, Union railway minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, speaking at TNIE ‘s “Delhi Dialogue” event here,said that the railway is working to meet the deadline of rolling out 75 Vande Bharat trains by August 15 in 2023.

    “We are moving towards the target besides working to roll-out all 400 Vande Bharat trains announced in last Union budget in next few years”, Ashwini Vaishnaw,who is considered as one of the most performing ministers of PM Modi ‘s cabinet,told The New Indian Express at Delhi Dialogue,held on December 3.

    Vaishnaw, who holds a brilliant background and working experiences of technocrat and bureaucrat educational backups,said that the acceleration pick of this Vande Bharat train is super and gives an extremely jurk even during the train runs at its high speed.

    “The Indian Railways is also working on bringing out the sleeper version of Vande Bharat train in next few years.A design to this ultra modem new generation Vande Bharat train of sleeper class has also been developed”,the railway minister said recently, adding that almost all metro cities of country would be linked with the Vande Bharat train services in future in line with PM Modi’s vision to ensure world class railway service in the country. He also said that India Railway will also enter into the export mode  of Vande Bharat trains after running a good number of Vande Bharat trains in the country.

    “Our technology used in the manufacturing of Vande Bharat train is indigenous and extremely good to match the international quality of railway services”,he said.

    It is be recalled here that the first and the second Vande Bharat trains were also flagged- off by PM Modi in 2019  between New Delhi -Varanasi and New Delhi -Katra. In recent times also, the PM had flagged off the three new Vande Bharat trains.

    NEW DELHI: Giving another boost to rail mobility by India ‘s premier indigenously manufactured Vande Bharat train, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday flagged off country’s 6th new generation Vande Bharat train from Nagpur Railway Station in Maharashtra.This 6th Vande Bharat train will run between Nagpur and Bilaspur giving top class journey comforts to the riders with hi-tech world class facilities,such rotable seats and wide window for seeing panoramic views of railside areas.

    The entire coaches have been brought under CCTV cameras surveillance and hi-tech air-purifier system that kills the airborne bacterias or virus inside the coaches.

    Recently, Union railway minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, speaking at TNIE ‘s “Delhi Dialogue” event here,said that the railway is working to meet the deadline of rolling out 75 Vande Bharat trains by August 15 in 2023.

    “We are moving towards the target besides working to roll-out all 400 Vande Bharat trains announced in last Union budget in next few years”, Ashwini Vaishnaw,who is considered as one of the most performing ministers of PM Modi ‘s cabinet,told The New Indian Express at Delhi Dialogue,held on December 3.

    Vaishnaw, who holds a brilliant background and working experiences of technocrat and bureaucrat educational backups,said that the acceleration pick of this Vande Bharat train is super and gives an extremely jurk even during the train runs at its high speed.

    “The Indian Railways is also working on bringing out the sleeper version of Vande Bharat train in next few years.A design to this ultra modem new generation Vande Bharat train of sleeper class has also been developed”,the railway minister said recently, adding that almost all metro cities of country would be linked with the Vande Bharat train services in future in line with PM Modi’s vision to ensure world class railway service in the country. He also said that India Railway will also enter into the export mode  of Vande Bharat trains after running a good number of Vande Bharat trains in the country.

    “Our technology used in the manufacturing of Vande Bharat train is indigenous and extremely good to match the international quality of railway services”,he said.

    It is be recalled here that the first and the second Vande Bharat trains were also flagged- off by PM Modi in 2019  between New Delhi -Varanasi and New Delhi -Katra. In recent times also, the PM had flagged off the three new Vande Bharat trains.

  • Woman run over by Vande Bharat train near Anand in Gujarat

    By PTI

    ANAND: A 54-year-old woman died after being run over by the Mumbai-bound semi high-speed Vande Bharat Express train near Anand railway station in Gujarat on Tuesday, Railway Police said.

    The victim, identified as Beatrice Archibald Peter, was crossing the track when the accident took place at 4.37 pm, said an official here.

    Peter, a resident of Ahmedabad, was apparently visiting a relative in Anand, he added.

    The train was on its way to Mumbai Central from Gandhinagar Capital station.

    It does not have a halt at Anand.

    Further investigation was underway, the official said.

    Prime Minister Narendra Modi had on September 30 flagged off the inaugural run of the train.

    There have been at least three incidents of cattle dying on the track after being hit by the train in the last one month.

    ANAND: A 54-year-old woman died after being run over by the Mumbai-bound semi high-speed Vande Bharat Express train near Anand railway station in Gujarat on Tuesday, Railway Police said.

    The victim, identified as Beatrice Archibald Peter, was crossing the track when the accident took place at 4.37 pm, said an official here.

    Peter, a resident of Ahmedabad, was apparently visiting a relative in Anand, he added.

    The train was on its way to Mumbai Central from Gandhinagar Capital station.

    It does not have a halt at Anand.

    Further investigation was underway, the official said.

    Prime Minister Narendra Modi had on September 30 flagged off the inaugural run of the train.

    There have been at least three incidents of cattle dying on the track after being hit by the train in the last one month.

  • ‘New India is growing rapidly’, says Modi in Himachal

    Express News Service

    CHANDIGARH: The new India is overcoming challenges and growing rapidly, claimed Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday.

    He was addressing a rally at Una in Himachal Pradesh, he further claimed that amenities that should have reached the people in the last century are being made available now. 

    “We will connect Himachal Pradesh with the modern facilities of the 21st century,’’ said Modi, who earlier flagged off the inaugural run of the fourth Vande Bharat Express train from Amb Andaura to New Delhi from Una railway station.

    Modi noted that rural roads are being constructed at double the speed and broadband connectivity is being extended to Gram Panchayats. 

    “Our government is fulfilling the aspirations of 21st-century India,” he further said.

    Pointing out the need for skill and innovation imparting institutions across the country, Modi said that it is our biggest priority today to hone the skills and potential of the youth. He also noted the contribution of the youths in Himachal by serving in the army and creating new dimensions in the security of the country. 

    “Now different types of skills will help them to take them to higher positions in the army as well”, he added.

    While flagging of the Vande Bharat Express, Modi said the decision to bring the train to Himachal Pradesh shows the importance accorded by the Centre to the State.

    ALSO READ | Mahakal Corridor breaks more shackles of colonialism: PM Modi

    Modi also laid the foundation stone for a Bulk Drug Park to be constructed in Haroli constituency of Una district besides inaugurating a Rs 128 crore Indian Institute of Information Technology (IIIT) in Saloh village in Una.

    “Himachal being chosen as one of the only three states for a bulk drug park is a momentous decision for the state and is a result of our affection and dedication for the state”, he claimed. 

    “The Bulk Drug Park will give further strength to the government’s campaign to provide quality and affordable medical care to people”, he pointed out. 

    “Be it agriculture or industry, it is connectivity that provides impetus to the pace of development”, Modi said. He gave the example of the Nangal Dam-Talwara railway line which was approved 40 years ago and no progress was seen on the ground for 40 years till the current government took it up in right earnest. 

    CHANDIGARH: The new India is overcoming challenges and growing rapidly, claimed Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday.

    He was addressing a rally at Una in Himachal Pradesh, he further claimed that amenities that should have reached the people in the last century are being made available now. 

    “We will connect Himachal Pradesh with the modern facilities of the 21st century,’’ said Modi, who earlier flagged off the inaugural run of the fourth Vande Bharat Express train from Amb Andaura to New Delhi from Una railway station.

    Modi noted that rural roads are being constructed at double the speed and broadband connectivity is being extended to Gram Panchayats. 

    “Our government is fulfilling the aspirations of 21st-century India,” he further said.

    Pointing out the need for skill and innovation imparting institutions across the country, Modi said that it is our biggest priority today to hone the skills and potential of the youth. He also noted the contribution of the youths in Himachal by serving in the army and creating new dimensions in the security of the country. 

    “Now different types of skills will help them to take them to higher positions in the army as well”, he added.

    While flagging of the Vande Bharat Express, Modi said the decision to bring the train to Himachal Pradesh shows the importance accorded by the Centre to the State.

    ALSO READ | Mahakal Corridor breaks more shackles of colonialism: PM Modi

    Modi also laid the foundation stone for a Bulk Drug Park to be constructed in Haroli constituency of Una district besides inaugurating a Rs 128 crore Indian Institute of Information Technology (IIIT) in Saloh village in Una.

    “Himachal being chosen as one of the only three states for a bulk drug park is a momentous decision for the state and is a result of our affection and dedication for the state”, he claimed. 

    “The Bulk Drug Park will give further strength to the government’s campaign to provide quality and affordable medical care to people”, he pointed out. 

    “Be it agriculture or industry, it is connectivity that provides impetus to the pace of development”, Modi said. He gave the example of the Nangal Dam-Talwara railway line which was approved 40 years ago and no progress was seen on the ground for 40 years till the current government took it up in right earnest. 

  • Vande Bharat Express hits cow; second such incident in two days

    By PTI

    MUMBAI: The Gandhinagar-Mumbai Vande Bharat Express hit a cow near Anand station in Gujarat on Friday, resulting in minor damage to the train’s nose panel, an official said.

    A day before, the newly-launched semi-high speed train had hit four buffaloes and its nose cone had to be replaced.

    The railway official said the train did not sustain major damage in the latest incident except a small dent on the nose cone panel.

    The incident on Friday took place at 3.48 pm near Anand, about 432 km from Mumbai.

    “The train’s front portion has suffered a small dent,” confirmed Sumit Thakur, chief public relations officer of Western Railway, adding that all the passengers were safe.

    MUMBAI: The Gandhinagar-Mumbai Vande Bharat Express hit a cow near Anand station in Gujarat on Friday, resulting in minor damage to the train’s nose panel, an official said.

    A day before, the newly-launched semi-high speed train had hit four buffaloes and its nose cone had to be replaced.

    The railway official said the train did not sustain major damage in the latest incident except a small dent on the nose cone panel.

    The incident on Friday took place at 3.48 pm near Anand, about 432 km from Mumbai.

    “The train’s front portion has suffered a small dent,” confirmed Sumit Thakur, chief public relations officer of Western Railway, adding that all the passengers were safe.

  • ‘Vande Bharat manufacturing on fast track at ICF, Chennai’: Railway minister

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI:  Vande Bharat manufacturing is on a fast track at the Integral Coach Factory (ICF) in Chennai, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has said while on a visit to the factory.

    Vaishnaw also flagged off the 12,000th LHB coach at the factory and reviewed the station redevelopment plan for Chennai Egmore, the railway ministry said in a statement of Friday.

    The first Vande Bharat Express train was flagged off on February 15, 2019 on the New Delhi-Kanpur-Allahabad-Varanasi route.

    Speed, safety and service are the hallmarks of this train.

    The ICF, Chennai, a railways’ production unit, has been the force behind a completely in-house design and manufacture, computer modelling and working with a large number of suppliers for system integration in just 18 months.

    At the Egmore railway station in Chennai, Vaishnaw inspected the facilities and reviewed the masterplan of the redevelopment project.

    He discussed in detail about the proposed redevelopment plan for the station and the facilitation of inter-modal connectivity with the Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL).

    Talking to reporters, the minister said, “Prime Minister Narendra Modi has the vision of transforming the Indian Railway as he believes that the transformation of the Indian Railway will pave the way for a transformation of the Indian Economy.

    The redevelopment of various categories of stations is part of that vision.

    ” He said the Egmore station will be redeveloped while duly maintaining its heritage and simultaneously, revamping its amenities at par with world-class standards.

    Upon redevelopment, the station will become a hub of economic activity.

    It will also be the second-largest terminal of the Southern Railway, housing world-class amenities and airport-like features such as separate arrival and departure corridors, bright illumination and hassle-free access to platforms by escalators, elevators and skywalks.

    During his visit, Vaishnaw applauded the efforts of the “Avishkar Hyperloop”, a passionate students-led team at the IIT-Madras that is committed to changing the future of mobility in India by developing scalable hyperloop technologies.

    Hyperloop is a new innovative mode of transport that disrupts the paradigm of conventional transport where speed and comfort are carbon-heavy.

    It is a transportation solution for a sustainable, fast and connected future with a minimal carbon footprint.

    The concept is based on levitating pods travelling at near-sonic speeds in vacuum tubes built between cities.

    The Indian Railways has joined hands with the IIT-Madras to indigenously develop a hyperloop technology-based transportation system that runs faster than bullet trains and has a considerably low operating cost.

    The railways will extend financial support of Rs 8.34 crore to IIT-Madras for the project.

  • Coming soon to Bhopal! India’s first world-class station

    Express News Service

    NEW DELHI: Habibganj railway station in Bhopal, which has been re-developed as the country’s first world-class station with facilities equivalent of a modern airport, will soon to be dedicated to the nation by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. It will tentatively be on November 15.

    The station has been equipped with modern facilities after being developed on the PPP mode at the cost of Rs 450 crore by the Indian Railways Station Development Corporation. There will be facilities like lounges, ATMs and others. There will also be lifts, escalators and moving walkways.

    “Travelators have been installed in addition to escalators at this station, giving it an ultra modern look,” said a senior official of the Railway Board, adding that arrangements for fire safety, crowd management, access control, CCTV surveillance have also been made.

    The station has been totally revamped following ‘Green Buildings’ norms, wherein lights are operated by an energy-efficient promoting system with solar energy as back-up. Other facilities like washrooms, catering points, drinking water kiosks and senior citizen-friendly amenities have also been provided. There is a water treatment plant for reuse of water other than a 24-hour wi-fi service.

    Sources added that the railway ministry is working to develop 123 world class railway stations in the same mode. According to sources, Prime Minister Modi has been requested to be present and is expected to dedicate this station to the nation on November 15 or on some other day, as per his availability of time.

    Vande Bharat ExpressIf thing go per plan, Indian Railways will introduce the country’s third indigenously manufactured high speed Vande Bharat Express by March 31 next year. Manufacturing of rakes is near completion at Integral Coach Factory in Chennai and would soon be handed over to the Railways.

    This is a semi speed EMU train, manufactured with a running capacity of 160 to 200 kmph per hour. “By 2023, 45 Vande Bharat trains would be rolled out,” said a source. At present, two rakes of Vande Bharat trains run between New Delhi and Varanasi.