Prime Minister Narendra Modi virtually flagged off six new Vande Bharat trains for Jharkhand, Odisha, Bihar, and Uttar Pradesh on Sunday, September 15, 2024. Originally scheduled to flag off the trains from Tatanagar in Jamshedpur, inclement weather conditions forced the event to take place in Ranchi, as reported by PTI.
Expansion of Vande Bharat Fleet
With these additions, the Vande Bharat fleet now expands to 60 trains, facilitating 120 daily trips across 280 districts in 24 states and union territories. This expansion aims to enhance connectivity and promote faster, more efficient travel throughout the region.
New Routes and Economic Benefits
The newly introduced Vande Bharat trains will operate on the following routes:
- Tatanagar-Patna
- Brahmapur-Tatanagar
- Rourkela-Howrah
- Deoghar-Varanasi
- Bhagalpur-Howrah
- Gaya-Howrah
These routes are expected to boost religious tourism by providing quicker access to pilgrimage sites such as Baidyanath Dham in Deoghar, Kashi Vishwanath in Varanasi, and Kalighat and Belur Math in Kolkata. Additionally, the new services will support industries such as coal mining in Dhanbad, jute manufacturing in Kolkata, and the iron and steel sectors in Durgapur.
Infrastructure and Connectivity Projects
In conjunction with the new trains, PM Modi inaugurated several railway infrastructure projects worth ₹660 crore. These include the foundation stone for the Madhupur bypass line in Deoghar district and the Hazaribag town coaching depot. He also dedicated the doubling of the Kurkura-Kanaroan railway line, part of the Bondamunda-Ranchi section, and the Rourkela-Gomoh route.
Focus on Inclusive Development
The Prime Minister reiterated the government’s commitment to inclusive growth under the vision of “Sabka Sath, Sabka Vikas.” He emphasised that previously, modern infrastructure development was concentrated in select cities, but now underserved regions and marginalised groups, including Adivasi, Dalits, women, farmers, and youth, are priorities. He highlighted that the railway budget for Jharkhand now stands at ₹7,000 crore—16 times higher than it was a decade ago.
Technological Advancements in Vande Bharat 2.0
The railway ministry announced that the original Vande Bharat trains have been upgraded to Vande Bharat 2.0, which features enhanced technology, including faster acceleration, Kavach safety systems, antivirus technology, and WiFi. These advancements are a part of the ‘Make in India’ initiative, setting global benchmarks for speed, safety, and service quality.
PM Modi’s Vision for Rail Expansion
“These projects—worth more than ₹650 crore—are a milestone in expanding travel facilities and connectivity in the region,” PM Modi said. He further added that these developments are a step toward modernising India’s railway infrastructure and ensuring progress across Eastern India.
