Vande Bharat Express set for launch; record of 6000 projects to be inaugurated across India
In a landmark development aimed at bolstering rail connectivity and infrastructure in the Northeast, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to inaugurate a series of transformative projects on March 12, 2024. The highlight of the event will be the virtual flagging off of the Vande Bharat Express, promising a world-class traveling experience for passengers on the New Jalpaiguri and Patna route.
The virtual flagging off ceremony will be accompanied by the inauguration, dedication, and foundation stone laying of various infrastructural development projects at 764 locations across the nation on the same day.
Prime Minister Modi’s focus on the Northeast extends beyond the Vande Bharat Express, with a flurry of infrastructure projects slated for inauguration across the region. In Assam, 77 outlets of One Station One Product will be unveiled along with several Rail Coach Restaurants and Jan Ausadhi Kendras in Assam, West Bengal, and Bihar. Alongside the inauguration of Gati Shakti Terminals and Goods Sheds, signaling a significant boost to connectivity and economic growth in the state.
Moving beyond Assam, Prime Minister Modi’s itinerary encompasses the inauguration of Rail Coach Restaurants, Jan Ausadhi Kendras, and additional infrastructural developments in West Bengal, Bihar, Tripura, and Arunachal Pradesh, all aimed at modernising and expanding the railway network across these states.
Furthermore, doubling sections of the New Bongaigaon Agthori via Rangiya and New Bongaigaon Kamakhya via Goalpara Town sections will be dedicated to improving railway infrastructure in the Northeast.
Prime Minister Modi will mark the occasion by dedicating, laying foundation stones, inaugurating, and flagging off an unprecedented 6000 projects valued at a record of over ₹85,000 crores. The mega event will be live-streamed on 10,000 railway screens at various stations nationwide, with 1584 One Station One Product stalls being dedicated to the nation. Additionally, nearly 6 lakhs of Vishwakarmas will be invited to participate.
Various initiatives including the inauguration of 50 Jan Aushadhi Kendras for providing low-cost generic medicines, setting up Rail Coach restaurants, and extensive track electrification over 40,000 km in the past decade to reduce carbon emissions will also be highlighted.
With the aim of decreasing carbon emissions, Indian Railways has completed electrifying 40,000 kilometers of track over the past decade. The transition to 2X25 kV traction is underway, facilitating the operation of longer, heavier, and faster trains, exceeding speeds of 160 kmph. These developments are expected to significantly enhance tourism, employment opportunities, and the socio-economic landscape of the Northeastern region.
Meanwhile, amidst Modi’s ‘Mission North-East’ tour to Assam and Arunachal Pradesh, he addressed rallies and witnessed programs aimed at bolstering development in the region. Concluding his visit on March 10, PM Modi shared insights into his tour through a tweet on March 9, where he highlighted his experiences from Kaziranga to Kashi, emphasising the warmth and appreciation received from the people for the government’s initiatives.
While addressing a rally in Assam’s Jorhat, PM Modi underscored the government’s commitment to providing comprehensive housing solutions. He expressed, “It is providing houses to five and a half people together, these houses are not walls, these houses also have all the facilities like toilet, electricity, tap water.”
