Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Saturday (April 1) that his government's goal is to transform the railway sector and make travel easier for citizens. During a visit to Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, he flagged off the Bhopal-New Delhi Vande Bharat Express train from Rani Kamalapati station.
"Our endeavour is to transform the railway sector and make travel convenient for citizens," PM Modi was quoted as saying by the news agency PTI.
During a visit to Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, he flagged off the Bhopal-New Delhi Vande Bharat Express train from Rani Kamalapati station.
Speaking at the event, the prime minister said: "Vande Bharat express train showcases the skill, potential, and confidence of our nation. There has been 100% occupancy in Vande Bharat trains. They are technologically advanced, clean, and on-time. There has been no instance of black marketing of tickets either".
"Previous governments were busy with public appeasement. But this government is dedicated to satisfying people’s needs and aspirations:" striking an attack on the previous governments of the state, PM Modi said.
Onboard the train, the prime minister also met with over 300 schoolchildren who were chosen through a drawing and essay competition based on the theme "Bharatiya Rail."
PM Modi recalled how fortunate he was to also inaugurate the venue for today's event, Rani Kamlapati Station. He also expressed gratitude for the opportunity to launch India's cutting-edge Vande Bharat Express for Delhi.
He noted that today is one of the few times in Indian Railways history that a prime minister has visited the same railway station twice in a short period of time.
The prime minister further said that today's event is a prime example of a new order and new traditions emerging in modern India.
Ahead of PM Modi's visit, Madhya Pradesh CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan credited the Prime Minister for the state's development. In a tweet, the CM said, "The arrival of the Prime Minister is the rise of the sun of good luck for the state. Today, after coming to Bhopal, he is going to give the gift of Vande Bharat train to the state. Madhya Pradesh is moving fast because of Modi's vision."
Notably, the Vande Bharat Express train between Bhopal and the national capital will cover a distance of 708 km in 7.45 hours, CM Chouhan said.
"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 CM said.
Assembly elections in Madhya Pradesh, where the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is currently ruling, will be held by the end of this year.