NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday flagged off three new Vande Bharat Express trains for Meerut-Lucknow; Madurai-Bengaluru; and Chennai-Nagercoil via video conferencing.
The new trains will add to the current fleet of more than 100 semi-high speed trains connecting more than 280 districts across the country.
“Today from North to South a new chapter is being added to the Vikas Yatra of the country…From today Vande Bharat train service will start between Meerut – Lucknow, Madurai – Bengaluru and Chennai – Nagercoil,” PM Modi said.
“This expansion of trains is taking us to our vision of Viksit Bharat. These three new Vande Bharat trains will connect the important and historic cities…Temple city Madurai will now get connected to the IT city Bengaluru,” he added.
“To realise the vision of a developed India, it is crucial to enhance the growth of southern states. The region is blessed with vast talent, resources, and opportunities. Hence, our government prioritises the development of the entire South, including Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and beyond…In this year’s budget, we have given more than 6 thousand crore of rupees railway budget to Tamil Nadu. This budget is more than 7 times compared to 2014.” he further said.
The new trains will add to the current fleet of more than 100 semi-high speed trains connecting more than 280 districts across the country.
“Today from North to South a new chapter is being added to the Vikas Yatra of the country…From today Vande Bharat train service will start between Meerut – Lucknow, Madurai – Bengaluru and Chennai – Nagercoil,” PM Modi said.
“This expansion of trains is taking us to our vision of Viksit Bharat. These three new Vande Bharat trains will connect the important and historic cities…Temple city Madurai will now get connected to the IT city Bengaluru,” he added.
“To realise the vision of a developed India, it is crucial to enhance the growth of southern states. The region is blessed with vast talent, resources, and opportunities. Hence, our government prioritises the development of the entire South, including Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and beyond…In this year’s budget, we have given more than 6 thousand crore of rupees railway budget to Tamil Nadu. This budget is more than 7 times compared to 2014.” he further said.
Chennai Central to Nagercoil Vande Bharat train:
- Chennai Egmore-Nagercoil Vande will connect the scenic town of Nagercoil with Chennai.
- This train will cover 726 km in the state of Tamil Nadu and will provide modern and faster train travel experience to the people of 12 districts of Tamil Nadu viz. Kanniyakumari, Tirunelveli, Thoothukudi, Virudhunagar, Madurai, Dindigul, Trichy, Perambalur, Cuddalore, Villupuram, Chengalpattu and Chennai. Chennai Egmore will depart from Chennai at 5 am and reach Nagercoil at 1:50pm. The return train will leave Nagercoil at 2:20pm and arrive in Chennai at 11pm.
Madurai to Bengaluru Cantonment Vande Bharat train: Route, stops and timings
- This Vande Bharat service connecting Madurai in Tamil Nadu with Bengaluru will run six days a week, except on Tuesdays.
- The train will depart Madurai at 5:15am and reach Bengaluru Cantonment at 1pm, stopping at Dindugal, Tiruchirappalli, Karur, Namakkal, Salem, and Krishnarajapuram. In return (Train No. 20672), it will leave Bengaluru at 1:30pm, arriving in Madurai at 9:45pm.
- According to the railway ministry, this train will also facilitate businessmen, students and other working personnel in commuting from their native places in Tamil Nadu Bengaluru.
Meerut City-Lucknow Vande Bharat train: Route, stops and timings
- The third train, Meerut City-Lucknow Vande Bharat Express, is the first Vande Bharat Express connecting Meerut with Lucknow. It will operate six days a week, excluding Tuesdays.
- According to the ministry, the industries of the Meerut region will get a major boost by the swift connection to Lucknow by Vande Bharat Express train.
- The train will depart from Meerut City at 6:35 am and arrive in Lucknow’s Charbagh railway station at 1:45 pm, with stops at Moradabad and Bareilly. On the return journey (Train No. 22489), the train will depart from Charbagh railway station at 2:45pm and arrive at Meerut City at 10:00 pm.
