Prime Minister Narendra Modi will flag off the Vande Bharat Express between Puri and Howrah through video conferencing on Thursday. The state-of-the-art semi-high-speed train is equipped with state-of-the-art passenger amenities. According to the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), the train will pass through Khordha, Cuttack, Jajpur, Bhadrak and Balasore districts of Odisha and Paschim Medinipur and Purba Medinipur districts of West Bengal. The train will provide passengers with a faster, more comfortable and convenient travel experience, boost tourism and spur economic development in the region.
Last month, the Railways on Friday conducted a trial run of India’s indigenously designed semi-high-speed train Vande Bharat Express between Howrah and Puri. PM Modi will lay the foundation stone and inaugurate several railway projects worth over Rs 8,000 crore in Odisha through video conferencing on Thursday. The Prime Minister will lay the foundation stone for the redevelopment of Puri and Cuttack railway stations.
Can you guess which state is going to get its first #vandebharatexpress Tomorrow? pic.twitter.com/ftGN17wW8y– Ministry of Railways (@RailMinIndia) May 17, 2023
The redeveloped stations will have all modern facilities to provide world-class experience to rail passengers, the PMO statement said. The Prime Minister will dedicate 100 percent electrification of the rail network in Odisha. This will reduce operation and maintenance cost and reduce dependence on imported crude oil.
PM Modi will also inaugurate doubling of Sambalpur-Titlagarh rail line; a new broad gauge rail line between Angul-Sukinda; Third line connecting Manoharpur-Rourkela-Jharsuguda-Jamga and new broad-gauge line between Bichupali-Jhartarbha.
These will meet the increased traffic demands resulting from rapid industrial growth in the steel, power and mining sectors in Odisha and will also help ease the pressure on passenger traffic in these rail sections, the PMO statement said.