Three new Vande Bharat trains flags off on August 31 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. It will boost connectivity in three states of Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, a press statement from the Railway Ministry said.This indigenously developed train was first introduced on February 15, 2019, under the ‘Make in India’ initiative.With the introduction of these three new train services, the number of Vande Bharat Express trains opearing in various parts of India have gone upto 54.This Vande Bharat Express will operate six days a week, except Wednesdays.The Vande Bharat trains have a faster acceleration and semi-high speed operation up to 160 KMPH. They are fitted with the anti-collision device KAVACH and have a fully-sealed gangway for free passenger movement with automatic plug doors.The Southern Railways has made elaborate arrangements for Chennai Egmore-Nagercoil Vande Bharat flag off as it is the first Vande Bharat connecting 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,” the Railway Ministry said.
The second train, Madurai-Bengaluru Vande Bharat Express under Southern Railway zone, is the first Vande Bharat train connecting Madurai with Bengaluru via Tiruchchirappalli route.
“This Vande Bharat service will connect the bustling temple city of Madurai in Tamil Nadu with the cosmopolitan city of Bengaluru, also the state capital of Karnataka,” the ministry said.
“It will also facilitate businessmen, students and other working personnel in commuting from their native places in Tamil Nadu to the metropolitan city Bengaluru,” it added.The third train, Meerut City-Lucknow Vande Bharat Express, is the first Vande Bharat Express connecting Meerut with Lucknow. “This Vande Bharat service will boost religious tourism in the region by providing faster mode of commuting to the pilgrimage sites like Digambar Jain Temple, Mansa Devi Mandir, Surajkund Temple and Augharnath Temple among others,” the ministry said.