PM Modi virtually flags off Vande Bharat Express between Secunderabad-Visakhapatnam

Prime Minister Narendra Modi launching the Vande Bharat Express between Secunderabad and Visakhapatnam. Photo: Screengrab via YouTube/Narendra Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the Vande Bharat Express trains are proof of fast developing India and a true example of ‘Aatma Nirbhar Bharat’ with the speed of connectivity related to the overall development of the nation as the trains are providing enhanced connectivity to the common man.

Mr. Modi was speaking virtually after launching the eight Vande Bharat train connecting Secunderabad to Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh at Secunderabad station on Sunday.

The ‘Vande Bharat Abhiyan’ was developing fast across the nation with over 40 lakh passengers having travelled in the train. The new train between the two Telugu states is a gift for the people of TS and AP on the auspicious occasion of ‘Makar Sankranti’ to provide faster connectivity for the people of Secunderabad, Warangal, Vijayawada and Visakhapatnam and will also aid in the socio-economic development of the region, he said.

The train will also reduce travelling time between Secunderabad – Visakhapatnam, he said and pointed out that Telangana has witnessed major rail development in the past eight years with the budget outlay for 2022-23 being ₹3,048 crore, almost 12 times more as compared to the budget allocation made during the year 2014-15, which is ₹258 crore only, he said. 

Similarly, the Centre has strengthened rail infrastructure in AP and improved rail connectivity has paved the way for businesses and improved ease of living in the regions, he added. Union Ministers – Ashwini Vaishnavi (IT & Railways), G. Kishan Reddy (Tourism, Culture & Development of Northeast), Governor Dr Tamilisai Soundarajan and others were present at platform 10 of Secunderabad station bedecked for the occasion with a traditional music band playing.

Telangana Deputy Chief Minister Mehmood Ali, Minister for Animal Husbandry T. Srinivas Yadav, BJP leader Bandi Sanjay Kumar and other senior leaders were also present at the station for the trains maiden run in the Telugu States.

For the inaugural run carrying railway officials, supporting staff and mediapersons train stopped at all medium stations enroute where people with women and children thronged to take selfies, videos on mobiles or wave the national flag with some enthusiastic persons shouting patriotic slogans

Dr. Soundarajan said people can expect more modernized train services while Mr. Vaishnaw said the indigenously designed semi-high speed train – is the first state-of-the-art train exclusively for day journey available between Secunderabad and Visakhapatnam. The Secunderabad station will be developed along with 34 stations across TS, he said.

Mr. Kishan Reddy thanked the PM and Railways Minister for allotting the new train to the Telugu States. Rajya Sabha MP K. Laxman, Railway Board CEO Anil Kumar Lahoti, SCR GM AK Jain and other top officials were present.