PM Modi flagged off four Vande Bharat Express trains, saying, “This is the train of Indians…”

Varanasi. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday presented the nation with four new Vande Bharat Express trains from Varanasi. The PM flagged off the trains. PM Modi said, “Infrastructure has been a major driver of economic growth in developed countries around the world. In countries that have seen significant progress and development, their infrastructure development has been a major driving force behind their progress. Today, India is also moving rapidly on this path. In this regard, new Vande Bharat trains are being launched in various parts of the country.”

Prime Minister Modi said, “Infrastructure has played a crucial role in the development of most countries. As soon as a city gains better connectivity, its development automatically begins rapidly. Infrastructure is not limited to just large bridges and highways.” PM Modi stated that in addition to the Kashi-Khajuraho Vande Bharat, the Firozpur-Delhi Vande Bharat, the Lucknow-Saharanpur Vande Bharat, and the Ernakulam-Bengaluru Vande Bharat have been flagged off. With these four new Vande Bharat trains, over 160 new Vande Bharat trains are now operational in the country.

The PM further stated, “Today, trains like Vande Bharat, Namo Bharat, and Amrit Bharat are laying the foundation for the next generation of Indian Railways. This is a complete campaign to transform Indian Railways. Vande Bharat is a train made for Indians, by Indians, and for Indians, a train every Indian is proud of.”

Vande Bharat Express trains will operate on the Varanasi-Khajuraho, Lucknow-Saharanpur, Firozpur-Delhi, and Ernakulam-Bengaluru routes starting today. DRM Gaurav Agarwal stated that four new Vande Bharat trains were flagged off today. People of Lucknow will have the opportunity to travel from Lucknow to Saharanpur, which will operate six days a week except Monday.

Reacting to the arrival of the Vande Bharat Express, a local resident said, “All devotees visiting Kashi—whether from Delhi or other parts of the country or abroad—first reach Kashi, then proceed to Prayagraj, Chitrakoot, and other religious sites. This route also connects to Khajuraho, a historical and world heritage site. This initiative is commendable. We hope the NDA government will continue such efforts in the future. Four Vande Bharat Express trains are being launched today.”

Earlier, Prime Minister Modi arrived in Varanasi at around 5 pm on Friday. The PM’s special plane landed at the Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport in Babatpur, where he was welcomed by State Finance and Parliamentary Affairs Minister and District In-charge Suresh Khanna, MLA Dr. Awadhesh Singh, MLA Sunil Patel, MLA T. Ram, Commissioner S. Rajalingam, Police Commissioner Mohit Agarwal, District Magistrate Satyendra Kumar, and other officials.

PM Modi then arrived at the BLW Guest House by road. His convoy passed through Babatpur, Harhua, Gilat Bazaar, JP Mehta, the Phulwaria flyover, and Bareka. Thousands of people, BJP workers, and local residents welcomed him along the route, chanting “Modi, Modi” and “Har Har Mahadev.”

Four new Vande Bharat routes…
1. Banaras → Khajuraho
2. Khajuraho → Banaras
3. Lucknow → Saharanpur
4. Saharanpur → Lucknow
5. Delhi → Firozpur
6. Firozpur → Delhi
7. Bengaluru → Ernakulam
8. Ernakulam → Bengaluru

Giving a new impetus to religious tourism
The most important of the four new trains is the Banaras-Khajuraho Vande Bharat Express, which is considered a major gift for Kashi and the entire Purvanchal region. This train will connect important religious and cultural destinations like Banaras, Prayagraj, Chitrakoot, and Khajuraho. This will give a new impetus to religious tourism. The new Vande Bharat service will save approximately 2 hours and 40 minutes compared to the current special trains. This will provide passengers with a fast, comfortable, and modern travel experience.

What Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnav said…
Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnav inspected Varanasi station and said, “Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagged off four Vande Bharat services from Varanasi station today. All these services will provide utmost convenience to passengers. Whether it’s Amrit Bharat trains, Namo Bharat trains, or Vande Bharat trains, new generation trains are being continuously introduced with a focus on passenger convenience. Additionally, redevelopment work is underway at 1,300 stations across the country.”