Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday launched the Ajmer-Delhi Cantt Vande Bharat Express, the world’s first semi-high-speed passenger train on high-rise overhead electric (OHE) territory via video conferencing.
The inaugural train will run between the railway stations of Jaipur and Delhi Cantt. The Vande Bharat Express will begin regular service on Thursday, April 13, and will run between Ajmer and Delhi Cantt., with stops in Jaipur, Alwar, and Gurgaon.
The Ajmer-Delhi Cantt Vande Bharat Express is notable for being Rajasthan’s first Vande Bharat Express train.
While flagging off the train, PM Modi said, “Vande Bharat Express enriches the spirit of ‘India First, Always First’. I am happy that Vande Bharat train has today become synonymous with development, modernity, self-reliance and stability. Today’s journey of Vande Bharat will lead us to the journey of developed India tomorrow.”
According to PM Modi, approximately 60 lakh people have travelled in these trains since Vande Bharat began. The most important benefit of high-speed Vande Bharat is that it saves people time. Vande Bharat train has many features, he said, ranging from fast speed to beautiful design.
“Vande Bharat Express will immensely benefit the tourism industry of Rajasthan. I am fortunate to have flagged off the sixth Vande Bharat Express in the last two months.”
The new Vande Bharat Express will cover the distance between Delhi Cantt. and Ajmer in 5 hours and 15 minutes, according to the schedule.
Shatabdi Express, the current fastest train on the same route, takes 6 hours and 15 minutes. The new Vande Bharat Express will be 60 minutes faster than the current fastest train along the same route.
The train will improve connectivity to major tourist destinations in Rajasthan, such as Pushkar and the Ajmer Sharif Dargah, among other places that attract a large number of visitors throughout the year. Improved connectivity will also help the region’s socioeconomic development.
On April 8, Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagged off the Chennai-Coimbatore Vande Bharat Express in Chennai. It was the second train in the semi-high-speed class to depart on the same day, following the Secunderabad-Tirupati Vande Bharat Express from Telangana’s Secunderabad Railway Station.
PM Modi had previously launched India’s eighth Vande Bharat Express between Secunderabad and Visakhapatnam in January.
The announcement comes just a week after Prime Minister Modi launched the Vande Bharat Express on the Bhopal-New Delhi route.
The Secunderabad-Tirupati Vande Bharat Express makes stops in Nalgonda, Guntur, Ongole, and Nellore on its 660-kilometer journey between the cities.
Vande Bharat Express is a self-propelled, semi-high-speed train set manufactured in India. The train is outfitted with cutting-edge passenger amenities, allowing passengers to travel faster, more comfortably, and conveniently.
