Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to visit Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh on April 1, 2023, a PMO statement read.


The PM will flag off the Bhopal-New Delhi Vande Bharat Express train at Rani Kamalapati station, and also take part in the Combined Commanders' Conference.


"PM Modi will be visiting Madhya Pradesh. During his visit to Bhopal on April 1, he will give a big gift to the people of the state in the form of Vande Bharat Express, which he will flag off from the Rani Kamalapati station for New Delhi," the Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said on Wednesday.


The Vande Bharat Express train between Bhopal and the national capital will cover 708 km distance in 7.45 hours.


“The new train being introduced between Rani Kamlapati Railway station, Bhopal, and New Delhi railway station will be the eleventh Vande Bharat train in the country. The indigenously designed train set of Vande Bharat Express is equipped with state-of-the-art passenger amenities. It will provide faster, comfortable and convenient travel experience to the rail users, boost tourism and promote economic development in the region,” the statement said.


As per the statement, the prime minister will first attend the Combined Commanders' Conference at Khusabhau Thakre Hall in Bhopal, from where he will proceed to the station to flag off the train before Bhopal and New Delhi at 3:15 pm. 


The Combined Commanders' Conference is a three day event beginning on March 30 and is set to continue till April 1. The theme this year of the conference is ‘Ready, Resurgent, Relevant’.


Several major issues will be discussed during this conference, pertaining to national security including “jointness and theaterisation in the Armed Forces. Preparation of the Armed Forces and progress in defence ecosystem towards attaining 'Aatmanirbharta' will also be reviewed,” as per the PMO statement. 


Heads of three armed forces, the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will also participate in the event. The conference will be held from March 30 to April 1, Chouhan said.


The defence minister will arrive in the state on March 30 to take part in the conference.