On Thursday, PM Modi unveiled railway plans worth Rs 8,200 crore in Odisha and launched the inaugural Vande Bharat Express in the region, which will link Puri with Howrah in West Bengal. Modi said the new India is developing its own technologies and reaching the many regions of the country while speaking at the event via video conference. The religious, spiritual, and cultural ties between Puri and Howrah will be strengthened by the Vande Bharat Express.

There are currently 15 Vande Bharat trains running around the nation, which is improving the economy and connectivity. There was a time when Delhi and the major cities were the only places where modern technologies and facilities were utilised. But now India has taken a different route. He claimed that the newly constructed semi-highspeed train was evidence of the new India’s ability to produce its own technology and spread them throughout the nation.

PM Modi

There are currently 15 Vande Bharat trains running around the nation

As the nation commemorates the Amrit Kaal of its independence, Prime Minister Modi said it is time to further strengthen its togetherness. India’s capacity as a whole will grow as its unity is enhanced. He also praised the state for sustaining India’s progress despite challenges. 

Even in the most difficult circumstances, India continued on its path of progress. This has occurred due to the involvement of all states and India’s ethos of moving forward as a nation. The Puri-Howrah Vande Bharat Express will travel 500 kilometres in around 6.5 hours, making it the fastest train on the route. Additionally, it set the stage for the renovation of the Puri and Cuttack railway stations.

The PM promised to fully electrify the Odisha railway system for the benefit of the country. As a result, there would be less demand for imported crude oil, which will also result in lower operating and maintenance costs. In addition, he launched three additional wide gauge rail lines: one between Jhartarbha and Bichhupali and another between Sukinda and Angul. He also opened the third line between Manoharpur, Rourkela, Jharsuguda, and Jamga. The expanded Sambalpur-Titlagarh train route was also inaugurated by him.

PM Modi

The PM promised to fully electrify the Odisha railway system for the benefit of the country

These would help reduce the pressure on passenger traffic in these parts as well as meet the increased traffic demands brought on by the accelerated industrial expansion in Odisha’s steel, mining, and power industries. Dharmendra Pradhan, the minister of education, and Ashwini Vaishnaw, the minister of railways, were reportedly present at the event in Puri station.

In addition, a cultural event was held at the Howrah station to commemorate the start of the Vande Bharat Express, which would be the second in West Bengal. On May 20, the 22895/22896 Howrah-Puri-Howrah Vande Bharat Express will start running regularly. The train, which runs six days a week with the exception of Thursdays, will leave Howrah early in the morning at roughly 6:10 am and arrive in Puri at 12:35 pm. It will depart Puri for the return trip at 1:50 pm and get to Howrah at 8:30 pm. The 16-coach train will make stops in Kharagpur, Bhadrak, Balasore, Cuttack, Keonjhar Road in Jaipur, Khurda Road, and Bhubaneswar.