New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday flagged off Vande Bharat Express and Bharat Gaurav Kashi Darshan Train at KSR railway station in Bengaluru.


He is set to inaugurate Terminal-2 of the Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) in Bengaluru today. 



  •  This Vande Bharat Express train inaugurated by PM Modi is the fifth Vande Bharat Express train in the country and the first such train in South India. "It will enhance connectivity between the industrial hub of Chennai and the Tech & Startup hub of Bengaluru and the famous tourist city of Mysuru," the PMO stated.


  • PM Modi also flagged off the Bharat Gaurav Kashi Yatra train from Bengaluru KSR Railway Station.


  • Karnataka is the first state to take up this train under the Bharat Gaurav scheme in which the Government of Karnataka and the Ministry of Railways are working together to send pilgrims from Karnataka to Kashi. The pilgrims will be provided comfortable stay and guidance for visiting Kashi, Ayodhya, and Prayagraj, as per the PMO statement.


  • Prime Minister Narendra Modi will unveil 108 metre-long bronze statue of Sri Nadaprabhu Kempegowda.


  • The bronze statue was built to commemorate the contribution of Nadaprabhu Kempegowda, the founder of the city, towards the growth of Bengaluru. Conceptualised and sculpted by Ram V Sutar of Statue of Unity fame, 98 tonnes of bronze and 120 tonnes of steel have gone into making this statue, a statement by the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) informed.


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Terminal-2 Of Kempegowda International Airport


Spanning across an area of 2,55,645 square metres, this Rs 5000 crore initiative has incorporated the concept of a "terminal-in-a-garden", which is first of its kind.


As per reports, the T-2 in its first phase will have 22 contact gates, 15 bus gates, 95 check-in solutions and 17 security check lanes.


Apart from that, the new terminal will have nine customs hand baggage screening facility and the gate lounge will have a seating capacity of 5,932.






"T-2 is designed in a manner that we retain the philosophy of simplicity and minimal walking distances for the passengers a key characteristic of the KIA. With the use of a combination of the latest in construction technology and natural material, this terminal will establish a new vision for sustainable growth," PTI quoted a KIA official as saying.


According to the KIA official, the T-2 has been built on four guiding principles -- 'terminal in a garden', sustainability, technology and innovation, and art and culture of Karnataka.


"The T2 is an architectural wonder, which is a first-of-its-kind 'terminal in a garden'. It will have lush greenery within and outside and will be a visual delight like no other in the world. The passengers' experience is designed to be a walk in the garden while traveling through the new terminal," another official said.


According to him, the main attraction of this new terminal will be its 'hanging garden'.


The designers have also kept in mind the rich art and culture of the southern state while designing the terminal, the officials said.


"The rich history and cultural heritage of Karnataka have been integrated into the design of T2 with focus on tradition, technology and contemporary facets,” an official said, adding, "The cultural diversity and unique art forms of Karnataka and South India will be showcased through the gardens, the dynamic environment and art installations."