Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Thursday, inaugurated the first journey of the Vande Bharat Express from Dehradun to Delhi through a video conference. The train, which marks the introduction of Vande Bharat in Uttarakhand, will complete the Dehradun to Delhi route in approximately four and a-half hours.
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First Vande Bharat of Uttarakhand
The Vande Bharat Express, which operates at a semi-high speed, will be the 17th train of its kind in India and the first-ever Vande Bharat train in Uttarakhand. Its maiden journey will commence from Dehradun to Delhi’s Anand Vihar terminal. The official release from the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) states that the train offers top-notch facilities, ushering in a new era of comfortable travel, particularly for tourists visiting the state. This domestically produced train boasts advanced safety measures, including the ‘Kavach’ technology.
During the event, Prime Minister Modi emphasized his government’s focus on the ‘Navratna’ initiative, aimed at bolstering infrastructure development in Uttarakhand.
Journey hour, timings, fares and everything you need to know
Regular operations of the express train will start from May 29, covering a distance of 302 kms in about four hours and forty-five minutes, the IRCTC said. Except on Wednesdays, the train will function six days a week.
The train is scheduled to initiate its journey from Dehradun at 07:00 am and is expected to reach Delhi’s Anand Vihar terminal by 11:45 am. On it’s return journey, it will depart from Anand Vihar at 05:50 pm and arrive at Dehradun by 10:35 pm. Along the way, the train will make stops at Muzaffarnagar, Meerut City, Saharanpur, Haridwar and Roorkee.
For passengers travelling from Delhi to Dehradun, the fare for an AC chair seat will be ₹1,065, whereas an executive chair car seat will cost ₹1,890.
Tourism projects to get a boost
PM Modi expressed that states like Uttarakhand, known for their natural beauty, should capitalize on the current global interest in visiting India. He highlighted the significance of the Vande Bharat train in enabling Uttarakhand to leverage this opportunity to the fullest.
The Prime Minister acknowledged the support provided by the Central Government in transforming Uttarakhand into a tourism hub, encompassing adventure tourism, film shooting locations, and wedding destinations. He mentioned that the state’s tourist attractions are attracting visitors from around the world, and the introduction of the Vande Bharat Express will greatly benefit them. PM Modi also noted that train travel remains the first choice for families, and the Vande Bharat is gradually becoming the preferred mode of transportation.
‘Double engine government committed to Uttarakhand’s development’
Narendra Modi
The Prime Minister affirmed that the double-engine government is dedicated to the progress of Uttarakhand, emphasizing the rapid development of the state contributing to the overall progress of India.
In the meantime, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami expressed gratitude to PM Modi and Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnav for inaugurating the Dehradun-Delhi Vande Bharat Express and electrifying all railway routes in the state.
He said that this achievement, enabling the completion of the Dehradun-Delhi journey in just four-and-a-half hours, is a result of PM Modi’s special affection for Uttarakhand. He further commended the Vande Bharat Express as a testament to the Prime Minister’s vision of a progressive and self-reliant India.
He highlighted the rapid progress of the Rishikesh-Karnprayag rail line and the efforts to connect remote areas of Uttarakhand through road, rail, helicopter, and ropeway services, all aligned with the Prime Minister’s vision.
While many countries around the world are grappling with severe economic crises, India, under the capable leadership of Modi, continues to make significant strides in development and has emerged as the fifth largest economy, Pushkar Singh Dhami added.
