Lagatar24 Desk
New Delhi: On Saturday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated three new Vande Bharat Express trains, enhancing the country’s semi-high-speed rail network. These new routes connect Meerut-Lucknow, Madurai-Bengaluru, and Chennai-Nagercoil, marking a significant step in improving regional connectivity.
During a virtual ceremony, PM Modi emphasized the importance of these new rail services in advancing the nation’s development goals. “From North to South, today marks the beginning of a new chapter in the country’s Vikas Yatra (development journey). These new Vande Bharat trains will now connect the historical and important cities of Meerut, Lucknow, Madurai, Bengaluru, Chennai, and Nagercoil,” he stated.
PM Modi highlighted the strategic importance of connecting temple city Madurai with the IT hub of Bengaluru, stressing the government’s focus on the development of southern states. “To realize the vision of a developed India, enhancing the growth of southern states is crucial. This region, rich in talent, resources, and opportunities, remains a priority in our development agenda. In this year’s budget alone, Tamil Nadu received over ₹6,000 crore for railway development, a sevenfold increase since 2014,” he added.
Chennai-Nagercoil Vande Bharat Express:
This train connects Chennai Egmore with Nagercoil, covering a distance of 726 km across Tamil Nadu. It serves 12 districts, including Kanyakumari, Tirunelveli, Thoothukudi, Virudhunagar, and Madurai, offering faster and more modern travel options for residents. The train departs from Chennai at 5:00 AM and arrives in Nagercoil at 1:50 PM. The return journey begins at 2:20 PM, reaching Chennai at 11:00 PM.
Madurai-Bengaluru Vande Bharat Express:
Operating six days a week, this service connects Madurai with Bengaluru Cantonment. Departing Madurai at 5:15 AM, it reaches Bengaluru at 1:00 PM, with stops at Dindigul, Tiruchirappalli, Karur, Namakkal, Salem, and Krishnarajapuram. The return train leaves Bengaluru at 1:30 PM, arriving in Madurai by 9:45 PM. This service is expected to significantly benefit business professionals, students, and workers commuting between Tamil Nadu and Bengaluru.
Meerut-Lucknow Vande Bharat Express:
The first Vande Bharat Express connecting Meerut and Lucknow, this train operates six days a week, excluding Tuesdays. It departs from Meerut City at 6:35 AM and arrives in Lucknow’s Charbagh railway station at 1:45 PM, with stops at Moradabad and Bareilly. On the return journey, the train leaves Lucknow at 2:45 PM and reaches Meerut City at 10:00 PM. This service is anticipated to provide a significant boost to industries in the Meerut region by ensuring swift connectivity to Lucknow.
These additions to the Vande Bharat Express fleet further the government’s commitment to enhancing rail connectivity across India, contributing to regional growth and development.
