Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday flagged off the Secunderabad-Tirupati Vande Bharat Express in Telangana where he is also set to lay the foundation stone of projects worth over Rs 11,300 crore. PM Modi will also participate in a public meeting at Parade Ground before heading to Tamil Nadu.
The Secunderabad-Tirupati Vande Bharat Express, connecting Hyderabad with the abode of Lord Venkateswara, is the second Vande Bharat train to be started from Telangana within a short span of three months.
PM Modi was seen interacting with students onboard the newly flagged-off train.
According to a statement by the Prime Minister's Office (PMO), the train will reduce the travel time between the two cities by almost three and a half hours and will be particularly beneficial for pilgrim passengers.
"The redevelopment of Secunderabad Railway Station, to be done at a cost of Rs. 720 crore, is being planned such that it will undergo a massive makeover with world-class amenities and aesthetically designed iconic station building. The redeveloped station would be having double-level spacious roof plaza with all passenger amenities in one place along with multi-modal connectivity for providing seamless transfer of passengers from rail to other modes among others," the PMO statement mentioned.
Earlier, sharing a tweet by Union Minister for Culture and Tourism G Kishan Reddy about flagging off Vande Bharat Express between Secunderabad and Tirupati by the Prime Minister tweeted: “Vande Bharat Express is synonymous with pride, comfort and connectivity. The train between Secunderabad and Tirupati will benefit tourism, particularly spiritual tourism. It will also boost economic growth.”
PM Modi To Lay Foundation Stone Of AIIMS Bibinagar
At his public programme at Parade Ground Hyderabad, the Prime Minister will lay the foundation stone of AIIMS Bibinagar, Hyderabad. AIIMS Bibinagar is being developed at a cost of more than Rs. 1,350 crores. "The establishment of AIIMS Bibinagar is an important milestone in providing comprehensive, quality and holistic tertiary care health services to the people of Telangana at their doorstep," the PMO stated
During the Programme, Prime Minister will also lay the foundation stone of National Highway projects worth more than Rs. 7,850 crore. As per the PMO, these road projects will strengthen the road connectivity of both Telangana and Andhra Pradesh and will aid in the socio-economic development of the region.
After this event, PM Modi will head to Tamil Nadu to inaugurate the New Integrated Terminal Building (Phase- 1) of Chennai International Airport, developed at the cost of Rs. 1260 Crore.