Connecting two Telugu speaking states, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday (8 April) flagged off the new Vande Bharat Express train between Secunderabad in Telangana to Tirupati in Andhra Pradesh, a move aimed at strengthening connectivity between pilgrim centres to boost local economy.
The inaugural run of the eight-coach semi-high speed Vande Bharat train also witnessed much enthusiasm among the local crowd along the route.
Yukti and Snikta – two students of Excellencia College travelling in the inaugural run are quite happy about the journey. “We are enjoying the trip, ” said both sisters in chorus.
They have earned the trip as they were selected through essay competition on Swachh Bharat and Atmanirbhar Bharat.
There were many students from schools and colleges who travelled with their drawings on Swachh Bharat and Vande Bharat trains.
Renu, the Kendriya Vidyalaya teacher is also part of the trip along with her 12 students and said It is a privilege for me to avail the opportunity to be part of the inaugural run.
All 530 tickets for the commercial run slated on Sunday from Secunderabad to Tirupati have been booked, said Rajiv Gangle, ADRM of Secunderabad division.
Though there are five other trains running between these two cities, this Vande Bharat service is expected to draw maximum passengers because of less travel time.
Gangle said the travel time would be reduced by three hours from other train services on the route.
Tirupati is a highly popular pilgrimage centre, which is known for its famous Sri Venkateswara Temple, one of the most visited Hindu pilgrimage sites in the world. The temple receives millions of devotees every year, who come to seek the blessings of the Lord Venkateswara.
Among the now-operational 13 Vande Bharat trains, including this new route, four trains connect some of India’s most revered pilgrimage sites.
The three other routes are New Delhi-Varanasi, New Delhi-Shri Mata Vaishno Devi (Katra) and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (Mumbai)-Shirdi.
Tirupati Vande Bahart Express covers the 660 kilometre between the two cities in 8 hours and 30 minutes, which will be three hours and 20 minutes faster than other trains.
Ahead of the launch, PM Modi on Friday said, “Vande Bharat Express is synonymous with pride, comfort and connectivity. The train between Secunderabad and Tirupati will benefit tourism, particularly spiritual tourism. It will also boost economic growth.
This Vande Bharat will be running at an average speed of over 77 kmph and it will have halts at Nalgonda, Guntur, Ongole and Nellore stations.
However, the inaugural Vande Bharat will have halts at Nalgonda, Miryalguda, Piduguralla, Guntur, Tenali, Bapatla, Chirala, Ongole, Nellore and Gudur stations.
At present, another Vande Bharat Express operates between Secunderabad and Vizag.
Currently there are 11 Vande Bharat trains running across the country at present.
They are on Mumbai Central – Ahmedabad – Gandhinagar Capital; Mumbai – Sainagar Shirdi, and Mumbai – Solapur; New Delhi-Varanasi, New Delhi – Shri Vaishno Devi Mata Katra, Amb Andaura – New Delhi, Bhopal-New Delhi; Mysuru – Puratchi Thalaivar Dr MGR Chennai Central, Nagpur – Bilaspur, Howrah – New Jalpaiguri and Secunderabad – Visakhapatnam routes.