PM Modi Flagged Off Four Vande Bharat Trains; Links Pilgrim Cities To National Progress

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday flagged off four new Vande Bharat Express trains from Varanasi, highlighting their role in connecting pilgrim cities and promoting national progress.

Speaking at the event, he emphasised the economic and cultural significance of these routes for India’s heritage cities.

PM Modi said, “Pilgrim places are being connected via the Vande Bharat network. This is a step towards making the heritage cities of India a symbol of the nation’s progress.”

He noted the economic benefits of spiritual tourism, citing that 11 crore devotees visited Kashi for the Kashi Vishwanath pilgrimage last year, while over six crore pilgrims visited Ayodhya following the construction of the Ram Temple.

“These devotees have supported hotel owners, traders, and transport providers, providing them with a stable source of income,” he added.

Focus on Health and Infrastructure

The Prime Minister also underlined improvements in healthcare and urban infrastructure in Kashi.

He recalled that a decade ago, residents lacked access to quality medical care, forcing cancer patients to travel to Mumbai at great expense.

“Today, government initiatives such as Jan Aushadhi and Ayushman Bharat have improved healthcare access. Kashi is gradually emerging as a ‘Health Capital,’” he said.

He stressed the need to maintain the pace of development to transform Kashi into a prosperous and progressive city, aligning with the vision of a Viksit Bharat.

The four newly flagged-off Vande Bharat Express trains will run on the following routes: Varanasi–Khajuraho, Bengaluru–Ernakulam, Lucknow Junction–Saharanpur, and Firozpur Cantt–Delhi.

These fully air-conditioned, self-propelled trains can reach speeds of 180 kmph, though they currently operate at 160 kmph on approved routes.

They offer modern amenities such as aircraft-style seats, bio-vacuum toilets, ambient lighting, rotating Executive Class seats, wider luggage racks, automatic sliding doors, emergency call buttons, and modular mini pantries.

PM Modi highlighted that connecting spiritual centres through the Vande Bharat network not only strengthens India’s cultural fabric but also stimulates regional economies and tourism.

He emphasised that such infrastructure projects contribute to the broader goal of national development, making heritage cities symbols of India’s progress.

This initiative reflects a blend of cultural preservation and modern infrastructure, reinforcing India’s journey toward economic growth and connectivity while celebrating its rich spiritual heritage.

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