Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagged off Odisha’s first Vande Bharat Express connecting Puri to Howrah, fulfilling a long-standing demand of the state.
Vande Bharat is becoming an engine of growth, said Modi in the virtual launch at the inaugural function. He said the train will reduce travel time and facilitate business activities to grow.
Besides launching the train, the Prime Minister also laid the foundation stones for the redevelopment of Puri and Cuttack stations.
The 16-coach Puri-Howrah Vande Bharat train will cover the distance of 500 km between Howrah and Puri, the abode of Lord Jagannath, in around six and a half hours.
Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and Education Minister Dharmedra Pradhan were also present on the occasion.
The regular commercial run of the Puri-Howrah Vande Bharat Express will commence from 20 May. Equipped with two types of coaches — AC Chair Car and Executive Class, the train aims to provide comfort and improved amenities.
Passengers have to pay Rs 1,430 for AC Chair Car including Rs 328 as catering charge while the Executive Class Car fare is Rs 2,615 including Rs 389 catering charge.
The train is expected to cater to the growing number of passengers from West Bengal as Puri being a very popular destination for tourists from West Bengal and its surroundings as both a pilgrimage and a beach resort town.
Besides launching the train, the Prime Minister also laid the foundation stone and inaugurated several railway projects worth more than Rs 8,200 crore including new line and doubling in Odisha.
The train will pass through Khordha, Cuttack, Jajpur, Bhadrak, Balasore districts in Odisha and Paschim Medinipur, Purba Medinipur districts in West Bengal.
The super-fast train will provide faster, comfortable and convenient travel experience to the rail users, boost tourism and promote economic development in the region.