PM Modi likely to flag off Secunderabad-Vijayawada Vande Bharat Express soon

HYDERABAD: The much-awaited Vande Bharat Express between Secunderabad and Vijayawada via Kazipet is likely to be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi very soon. According to reports, preparations are underway to hold a ceremony for the same sometime during January, based on the Prime Minister’s availability.

In view of the high chances of the Prime Minister visiting the city, efforts are also on to line up a few other railway projects, either waiting to be commissioned or for a foundation-laying ceremony. The Rail Vikas Nigam Limited has recently finalised the tender for the proposed Periodical Overhauling Wagon Workshop at Kazipet. Now that the works have been entrusted to the most suitable bidder, the project is all set for a foundation stone-laying ceremony.

On the other hand, the Secunderabad Redevelopment Project is also set to take off anytime soon following the completion of the tender process for it. Besides these two, the long-awaited second railway line between Secunderabad and Mahabubnagar, which completed its construction work, is also due for its commissioning.

The railway authorities are seriously contemplating to also line up these three railway projects at the Vande Bharat Express flagging-off ceremony.

The Vande Bharat Express covers the distance between Secunderabad and Vijayawada at a speed of 130 km. However, the train successfully touched a top speed of 180 km during testing. Once it does, Vande Bharat Express will be the first train to run at a speed of 130 km on this route.

Earlier, a top speed of 110 km per hour was allowed on this route but owing to constant construction and other maintenance works, the speed of trains was considerably reduced. Despite these obstacles, the Vande Bharat Express is likely to run at the maximum speed.