Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday virtually flagged off the maiden Vande Bharat Express train for the northeast region that will connect Assam's Guwahati to West Bengal's New Jalpaiguri Station. The latest Vande Bharat Express will cover the journey in about five-and-a-half hours, while the current fastest train takes around six-and-a-half hours to cover the same distance. He highlighted that the train will boost business and tourism by connecting key destinations such as Kamakhya Temple, Kaziranga Sanctuary, Manas Tiger Reserve in Assam to Shillong and Cherrapunji in Meghalaya, and Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh.
"Today is a big day for the rail connectivity of the entire North East including Assam. This Vande Bharat Express will make the life of the people living here easier and this will also give a boost to the tourism sector of the state," PM Narendra Modi said at the flagging-off event in Assam.
He mentioned that three works related to the connectivity of North East are going on. "North East is getting the first Made in India Vande Bharat. This is the third Vande Bharat connecting West Bengal and electrification work on about 425 km of track in Assam and Meghalaya has been completed," he stated.
The Prime Minister highlighted his government's works saying that "the last 9 years have been of unprecedented achievements for India, of building a new India." "After coming to power, our government gave the highest priority to the welfare of the poor. Infrastructure is for all, equally, without discrimination. That's why this infrastructure construction is also true social justice in a way, true secularism," he added.
According to PM Modi, Railway’s budget for North East was Rs 2,500 Crore before 2014, now it has grown four times over with more than Rs 10,000 crore allocated. "All parts of the Northeast will soon be connected via the broad-gauge network. Rs 1 lakh crore is being spent on the same," he mentioned.
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Ahead of the ceremony, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma expressed gratitude to the Modi government saying, "It's a proud moment for us that PM Modi will flag off the Vande Bharat Express today. It will connect Assam and West Bengal. I thank PM Modi and Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw."
Aside from the Vande Bharat Express, Prime Minister Modi also dedicated a 182 km route of the newly electrified section to help provide pollution-free transportation with trains running at higher speeds and shorter train runs.
He also dedicated a newly built DEMU/MEMU shed in Lumding, Assam, which will aid in the maintenance of DEMU rakes operating in the region, leading to improved operational feasibility.
Guwahati To Jalpaiguri Vande Bharat Train
The first in the Northeast, Guwahati To Jalpaiguri Vande Bharat Train is the third Vande Bharat Express in Bengal, and the 18th in India. The Vande Bharat Express from New Jalpaiguri to Guwahati will travel 410 kilometres in six hours.
The train will pass through Kamrup Metropolitan, Kamrup Rural, Nalbari, Barpeta, Chirang, Kokrajhar districts of Assam and Alipurduar, New Coochbehar, and Jalpaiguri districts of North Bengal.
The train will comprise eight cars that can hold a maximum of 530 people. There will be one Executive Class, five Chair Car, and two Driver Trail Coaches.
The Indian Railways is currently running 34 services of the train, covering 21 states.
It has set a target of running at least one service in seven more states by June.
Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced in March that the Vande Bharat Express would reach Rangpo in Sikkim by December 2024. The railway network to Rangpo is currently under construction.
According to the rail minister, at least 14 tunnels and 17 bridges will connect the northeastern state to Bengal via the Sevoke-Rangpo railway tracks. The stretch will most likely be completed this year, he added.