PM Narendra Modi flags off Vande Bharat train between Secunderabad, Visakhapatnam

HYDERABAD: The long-awaited Vande Bharat Express train between Secunderabad and Visakhapatnam was flagged off by Prime Minister Narendra Modi virtually on Sunday on the auspicious occasion of Sankranti.

Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnav, Tourism Minister Kishan Reddy, and Telangana Governor Tamilisai Soundarajan participated in the inauguration ceremony in Secunderabad.

Speaking on the occasion, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that the Vande Bharat train was a Sankranti govt to the two Telugu States. Stating that the Vande Bharat train manufactured in India would connect the people from Kashmir to Kanyakumari and created an economic and cultural bond, he said the Vande Bharat train was an example of the changing future of the country, which would reduce the journey time. It’s an epitome of speed, he said and pointed out that speed was the future.

Meanwhile, Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said the face of railways was changing under the leadership of Modi by enhancing the facilities with the use of technology. He said that every aspect and dimension of Indian Railways was on the path of transformation. Speaking on the Vande Bharat train, he said that it was a Make-in-India product that fetched good results.

Telangana Governor Tamilisai Soundararajan, who was present on the occasion, said that it was a proud moment for Telugu states as the high-end Vande Bharat train was launched that would enable the passengers to have spectacular visuals and a smooth journey. She thanked Prime Minister for allocating the train to connect the Telugu-speaking people. Meanwhile, the locals have flocked to the Secunderabad Railway station to witness the Vande Bharat train

Along with Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, Union Tourism and Minister G Kishan Reddy, Mohammed Mahmood Ali Telangana Home Minister, MP Laxman, Animal Husbandry Minister Talasani Srinivas Yadav were physically present at the Secunderabad railway station during the inauguration.

All about the high-end train

Although the train is scheduled to stop at four major stations in Warangal, Khammam, Vijayawada, Rajahmundry, before reaching Visakhapatnam, it would stop at 21 stations as part of the journey on the first day at Charlapally, Bhuvanagiri, Jangaon, Kazipet, Warangal, Mahabubabad, Dornakal, Khammam, Madhira, Kondapalli, Vijayawada Junction, Nuzividu, Eluru, Tadepalligudem, Nidadavolu, Rajahmundry, Dwarampudi, Samarlakota, Tuni, Anakapalli, Duvvada stations respectively.

Going by the details of the train, it has 16 coaches including 14 AC chair car coaches and two executive car coaches, which can accommodate 1,128 passengers.

The Vande Bharat train with number 20834 will take 8 hours 40

minutes to travel from Secunderabad to Visakhapatnam against the usual 12 hours, reducing three hours of journey and will move at a speed of 160 kmph.

The passengers can travel in Vande Bharat train only through reservation with a charge of Rs. 520 for an AC Chair Car from Secunderabad to Warangal, followed by Rs. 750 from Secunderabad to Khammam, Rs. 905 from Secunderabad to Vijayawada, Rs. 1365 from Secunderabad to Rajahmundry, Rs. 1665 from Secunderabad to Visakhapatnam while the fare for Executive Class is stipulated at Rs. 3120 from Secunderabad to Visakhapatnam Rs 3120.

According to SCR officials, the train will depart from Secunderabad at 15:00 hours and reach Warangal at 16:45, Khammam at 17:45, Vijayawada junction at 19:00, Rajahmundry at 20:48 and Visakhapatnam at 23.30. While in the return journey, the train will leave Visakhapatnam at 05:45 am and halt at Rajahmundry at 07:55, Vijayawada Junction at 10:00 hours, Khammam at 11:00, Warangal at 12:05 and reach Secunderabad at 14:15.