Prime Minister Narendra Modi, via video conferencing, inaugurated India’s first 20-coach Vande Bharat Express (Varanasi – New Delhi) and six new Vande Bharat Express trains across the country.
The local event at Prayagraj Junction was graced by Chief Guest Shri Nand Gopal Gupta “Nandi”, Minister for Industrial Development, Export Promotion, NRI Affairs, and Investment Promotion, Uttar Pradesh Government. Other dignitaries included Shri Praveen Patel, Member of Parliament from Phoolpur; Shri Ganesh Kesarwani, Mayor of Prayagraj; Smt. Geeta Shastri (Pasi), MLA from Soron; Shri Vachaspati, MLA from Bara; Shri K. P. Srivastava, Member of the Legislative Council; and Shri Sanjay Singh, Additional Divisional Railway Manager (General).
The event commenced with a warm welcome by Shri Sanjay Singh, who presented the dignitaries with plants and shawls. In his welcome address, he highlighted the ongoing efforts to enhance railway services for passenger comfort, noting that Uttar Pradesh is currently executing projects worth ₹92,001 crore, with a record ₹19,848 crore allocated in this year’s budget. He emphasized the development of 157 stations into world-class facilities.
During the event, cultural performances and award distributions were held. Shri Nand Gopal Gupta “Nandi” praised the Vande Bharat Express as a symbol of national pride, offering travelers an exceptional experience. He noted that the increased capacity of the Delhi-Varanasi Vande Bharat Express would benefit more passengers.
He also mentioned that the newly launched Agra Cantt – Varanasi Vande Bharat Express would promote religious tourism in Kashi and tourism at sites like the Taj Mahal, Red Fort, and Fatehpur Sikri in Agra. The enhanced connectivity would boost various industries and contribute to regional prosperity in six districts including Varanasi, Prayagraj, Kanpur, Etawah, Firozabad, and Agra. Furthermore, the train would provide world-class travel facilities for students from prestigious institutions such as IIT Varanasi, IIT Kanpur, BHU, Allahabad University, and Dr. B.R. Ambedkar University.
