New Vande Bharat Trains Transform Southern Rail Connectivity

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated three new Vande Bharat trains connecting Meerut with Lucknow, Madurai with Bengaluru, and Chennai with Nagercoil. He emphasized the significance of southern states' growth for achieving Viksit Bharat by 2047, while highlighting the increased budget for rail transport in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated three new Vande Bharat trains on Saturday, enhancing rail connectivity between Meerut and Lucknow, Madurai and Bengaluru, and Chennai and Nagercoil. This strategic move aims to bolster the rapid development of southern states as part of the broader vision of achieving Viksit Bharat by 2047.

During the flag-off ceremony, which was conducted via video conference, Modi underscored the critical role of southern states in the nation’s growth trajectory. He noted that the increased budgetary allocation for rail transport in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka has significantly improved infrastructure in these regions.

The newly introduced Meerut-Lucknow Vande Bharat train is expected to save passengers approximately one hour. Similarly, the Chennai Egmore-Nagercoil and Madurai-Bengaluru Vande Bharat trains will reduce travel time by over two hours and 1.30 hours, respectively, compared to the existing fastest trains.