PM Modi flags off Secunderabad-Tirupati Vande Bharat Express train

HYDERABAD: Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagged off the Secunderabad-Tirupati Vande Bharat Express train at the Secunderabad Railway station on Saturday.

The Secunderabad-Tirupati Vande Bharat Express connects Hyderabad to Lord Venkateswara's temple town Tirupati, making it the state's second Vande Bharat train to depart from Telangana in less than three months.

This train, which is the second semi-highspeed train in South Central Railway (SCR), would reduce travel time between the two cities by more than three and a half hours, especially useful for pilgrims from both Telugu states.

 This train would make four stops between Secunderabad and Tirupati, including Nalgonda, Guntur, Ongole, and Nellore.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Hyderabad about 11:30 am on Saturday and received a warm reception by Governor Tamilisai Soundararajan, Telangana BJP president Bandi Sanjay, BJP leader Etala Rajender, and Telangana Animal Husbandry Minister Talasani Srinivas Yadav.

After launching the Vande Bharat Express at Secunderabad Railway Station on Saturday, the Prime Minister launched a number of projects from a public meeting at the Parade Grounds.

 He also launched 13 new MMTS services in the suburban section of Hyderabad – Secunderabad twin city region. The Multi-Modal Transport Service (MMTS) provides the commuters in the twin city region with a fast, convenient and comfortable travel option. The new services take these services to new sections in the twin cities and provide them with cost-effective, safe and comfortable travel facility for the daily commuters, students, office goers, etc.

Electrification of Secunderabad Mahabubnagar project

The Prime Minister also dedicated to the nation the doubling and electrification of the Secunderabad-Mahabubnagar Railway line project. The project, which spanned 85.24 kilometers, was completed at a cost of Rs. 1,410 crore. The project included nine major bridges, 152 smaller bridges, and the removal of 17 level-crossing gates in order to improve the safety of both road users and train operations. The project's completion decongests this congested stretch, increasing the potential of introducing both passenger and goods trains. The initiative would improve trains’ average speed by providing seamless connectivity. The initiative would also contribute to the socioeconomic growth of the people in the area.

Renovation of Secunderabad Railway Station

Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone for the Rs. 720-crore reconstruction of Secunderabad Railway Station. The station, which is the busiest in Telangana, would be completely renovated with world-class amenities and a beautifully designed iconic station structure. The station is being refurbished to serve as a new City Centre, producing economic possibilities and cash for the community.

The renovated station would have a double-level spacious roof plaza with all passenger amenities in one location, as well as spaces for retail, cafeterias, recreational facilities, segregation of passenger arrival/departure, lifts, escalators, Travelators, multilevel car parking, and multimodal connectivity, among other things.