Pilgrim places being connected via Vande Bharat network, making heritage cities symbols of nation’s progress: PM Modi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi kicked off four new Vande Bharat Express trains in Varanasi on Saturday, saying the high‑speed network is linking India’s sacred pilgrimage towns with modern infrastructure. The launch underscores how fast‑moving trains can boost the economy while preserving the country’s cultural heritage.
### Pilgrimage towns gain new trains
The PM highlighted that places like Kashi (Varanasi) and Ayodhya are now better connected. In 2023, 11 million visitors came to Kashi for the Kashi Vishwanath temple, and more than 6 million people flocked to Ayodhya after the Ram Temple opened. “These visits support local hotels, traders and transport services,” Modi explained. “They bring steady income to the community.”
### Building a “Health Capital”
Modi also stressed health improvements in Varanasi. Ten to eleven years ago, residents had to travel to Mumbai for serious illnesses such as cancer. Today, schemes such as Jan Aushadhi and Ayushman Bharat lower medical costs, and the city is slowly earning the title of a “Health Capital.” The government plans to keep this momentum, aiming for a prosperous, progressive Varanasi.
### New routes and train features
The four new Vande Bharat Express services will run on these routes:
– Varanasi → Khajuraho
– Bengaluru → Ernakulam
– Lucknow Junction → Saharanpur
– Firozpur Cantt → Delhi
These self‑propelled, fully air‑conditioned trains can reach 180 km/h, though they currently travel up to 160 km/h on authorised tracks. Passengers enjoy aircraft‑style amenities, including reading lights, bio‑vacuum toilets, ambient lighting, automatic sliding doors, and fully sealed gangways. Executive Class seats rotate, and the cars offer larger luggage racks, emergency call buttons, and small pantries.
By speeding up travel between key tourism and economic hubs, the Vande Bharat network continues to turn India’s heritage cities into symbols of modern progress while supporting local economies and health care.
Source: ianslive
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