Dilip Kumar, Executive Director (Information and Publicity) of the Railway Board, was quoted by Economic Times as stating, “We already have 156 Vande Bharat Express services throughout the country. With the addition of 8 new services, the total will now reach 164. Today, the Prime Minister flagged off the Banaras-Khajuraho Vande Bharat Express. Additionally, we are launching the Lucknow-Saharanpur Vande Bharat Express, Firozpur-Delhi Vande Bharat Express, and one Ernakulam-Coimbatore-Bengaluru Vande Bharat Express.”
The newly launched trains will run
on essential routes that connect Banaras-Khajuraho, Lucknow-Saharanpur, Firozpur-Delhi, and Ernakulam-Bengaluru, greatly shortening travel times between major cities while enhancing regional mobility and promoting tourism and trade.
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During the Varanasi event, Prime Minister Modi referred to the launch as part of India’s overall infrastructure development. While addressing the crowd, he greeted the people of Varanasi, referring to it as “the sacred city of Baba Vishwanath,” and praised the festive atmosphere during Diwali.
He highlighted, “In developed nations, robust infrastructure has been a key driver of economic growth. In every country that has seen substantial progress, infrastructure development has been crucial. India is also making rapid strides on this front.”
The Prime Minister noted that the new trains signify “a festival of development” and congratulated citizens across the nation on this achievement.
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Emphasizing the importance of India’s domestic manufacturing capabilities, Prime Minister Modi remarked, “Trains such as Vande Bharat, Namo Bharat, and Amrit Bharat are establishing the groundwork for the next generation of Indian Railways.” He labeled the Vande Bharat Express as “a train designed by Indians, for Indians, and made of Indians,” asserting it as a source of national pride.
He noted that international travelers are often “amazed when they see Vande Bharat,” underlining its status as a testament to India’s technological progress.
Stressing the cultural and spiritual significance of connectivity, the Prime Minister stated that pilgrimage in India has historically served as a “medium of national consciousness.” He mentioned Prayagraj, Ayodhya, Haridwar, Chitrakoot, and Kurukshetra as key sacred sites central to India’s civilizational identity.
“These holy locations are now being linked through the Vande Bharat network; it symbolizes a convergence of India’s culture, faith, and developmental journey,” he stated. “This is a meaningful step toward transforming heritage cities into beacons of national advancement.”
