PM Modi Flags Off 8 Trains To Boost Connectivity To Statue Of Unity, Coaches Equipped With 'Vista-Dome Facility'

These trains will connect Kevadiya to Varanasi, Dadar, Ahmedabad, Hazrat Nizamuddin, Rewa, Chennai, and Pratapnagar.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagged off eight trains connecting different regions of the country to Kevadiya in Gujarat via video conferencing on Sunday. Gujarat chief minister Vijay Rupani and Union railways minister Piyush Goyal also took part in the online ceremony.

 "This is probably for the first time in the history of railways that so many trains from different locations of the country get flagged off to the same destination," PM Modi said.

The trains have been inaugurated to boost tourism in the tribal region and facilitate connectivity to the world's tallest statue, the Statue of Unity, which the PM inaugurated in October 2018 on the occasion of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel's 143rd birth anniversary.

"More visitors are coming to the Statue of Unity than the Statue of Liberty. Kevadia is not a small place anymore. It will become one of the most attractive tourist spots of the world," the Prime Minister said.

These trains will connect Kevadiya to Varanasi, Dadar, Ahmedabad, Hazrat Nizamuddin, Rewa, Chennai and Pratapnagar.

"For us, the Statue of Unity is not just a statue. It symbolises unity and the new trains will connect Kevadia to all corners of the country," Gujarat chief minister Vijay Rupani said adding that the new projects will also help uplift the lives of the tribals living in Kevadia.

The Ahmedabad-Kevadiya Jan Shatabdi Express, one of the eight trains, has been equipped with the 'Vista-dome tourist coach', the Railway ministry said. These coaches offer large viewing areas with rooftop glasses and seats for passengers. 

Modi on Saturday said Kevadiya is India's first with green building certification. 

"These buildings have been designed aesthetically incorporating local features and modern passenger amenities. Kevadiya station is India's first railway station with a Green Building Certification," the PMO said.

"The projects will add fillip to the development activities in the nearby tribal regions, boost connectivity to important religious and ancient pilgrim places nestled on the banks of River Narmada, increase both domestic and international tourism, act as a catalyst for overall socio-economic development of the region while also helping generate new employment and business opportunities," it added.

PM Modi also inaugurated Dabhoi-Chandod broad gauge railway line, Chandod-Kevadiya new broad gauge railway line, newly electrified Pratapnagar- Kevadiya section and the new station buildings of Dabhoi, Chandod, and Kevadiya.

The Statue of Unity is the world's tallest statue built as a tribute to Sardar Vallabhai Patel who was the first home minister of independent India and deputy prime minister as well. It is situated near Kevadiya in Gujarat's Narmada district.