Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to visit Jamshedpur on September 15th, where he will flag off the much-anticipated Vande Bharat train and distribute the first installment of the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana to over 1 lakh beneficiaries. This visit marks a significant expansion of the Vande Bharat network, bringing faster and more convenient travel options to new regions of India.
The new Vande Bharat Express services will connect Tatanagar to Patna, Deoghar to Varanasi, and Tatanagar to Berhampur (Odisha), providing a boost to connectivity in these regions. This follows the recent launch of three other Vande Bharat routes linking Meerut to Lucknow, Madurai to Bengaluru, and Chennai to Nagercoil, showcasing the government’s commitment to modernizing India’s rail network.
The Tatanagar-Patna Vande Bharat Express, operating six days a week, is expected to complete its journey in about seven hours, significantly reducing travel time. The train will depart from Tatanagar at 6 a.m. and arrive in Patna by 1 p.m., with the return service leaving Patna at 3 p.m. and reaching Tatanagar at 11 p.m. This enhanced connectivity will benefit passengers traveling between these two important cities.
The Deoghar-Varanasi route will connect two prominent pilgrimage sites, offering a convenient and efficient travel option for devotees. The service will travel via the Kiul-Gaya route in Bihar, with a scheduled stop at Nawada, further connecting these regions to the national rail network.
Odisha will also receive its fourth Vande Bharat Express on the Tatanagar-Berhampur route starting on September 15th. The train will operate six days a week, excluding Tuesdays, providing a much-needed boost to connectivity between these two cities.
However, the expansion of the Vande Bharat network isn’t without its challenges. On Monday, the Vande Bharat Express traveling from New Delhi to Varanasi experienced a technical issue, causing it to halt between Bharthana and Samho stations in Etawah district. The engine of train number 22436, which was en route from New Delhi to Varanasi, developed a fault after passing Bharthana station at 9 a.m. The Railways arranged alternative transportation to ensure passengers reached their destination, highlighting the importance of maintaining a reliable and efficient network.
The expansion of the Vande Bharat network is a significant step towards achieving the goal of ‘Viksit Bharat’ (Developed India), as envisioned by Prime Minister Modi. These high-speed trains are not only modernizing the country’s transportation infrastructure but also empowering individuals with faster and more convenient travel options, contributing to economic growth and development.