PM Modi Inaugurated 2 New Amrit Bharat, 6 Vande Bharat Trains in Ayodhya

Prime Minister Narendra Modi marked a significant event on Saturday by flagging off two Amrit Bharat and six Vande Bharat Express trains from the redeveloped Ayodhya Dham Railway Station. This momentous occasion took place amid the festive atmosphere in Ayodhya, with the upcoming consecration of the grand Ram Temple on January 22, 2024.

Amrit Bharat Express: A New Milestone

The Amrit Bharat Express introduces a new category of superfast passenger trains with the distinctive feature of LHB push-pull technology. Notably, these trains prioritize efficiency with non-air-conditioned coaches. The locos at both ends contribute to better acceleration, while passengers enjoy enhanced amenities such as beautifully designed seats, improved luggage racks, mobile charging points, LED lights, CCTV surveillance, and a public information system.

The Amrit Bharat Train routes include:

Darbhanga to Anand Vihar Terminal in Delhi via Ayodhya Amrit Bharat Express
Malda Town to Bengaluru (Sir M. Visvesvaraya Terminal) Amrit Bharat Express

Vande Bharat Express Expansion

Six Vande Bharat Express trains were flagged off during the event, connecting key destinations across the country. The newly inaugurated routes include:

Sri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra – New Delhi Vande Bharat Express
Amritsar – Delhi Junction Vande Bharat Express
Coimbatore – Bengaluru Vande Bharat Express
Jalna – Mumbai (CSMT) Vande Bharat Express
Ayodhya – Anand Vihar Terminal Delhi Vande Bharat Express
Mangaluru – Madgaon Goa Vande Bharat Express

Railway Infrastructure Development

In addition to the train inaugurations, Prime Minister Modi dedicated three railway projects worth ₹2,300 crore to strengthen the rail infrastructure in the region. The projects encompass the Rooma Chakeri-Chanderi third line project, various sections of the Jaunpur-Ayodhya-Barabanki doubling project, and the doubling and electrification project of the Malhaur-Daliganj railway section.

Inaugural Run of Jalna-Mumbai Vande Bharat Express

The Prime Minister virtually flagged off the inaugural run of the Jalna-Mumbai Vande Bharat Express during the event. The 8-coach service is set to depart from Jalna at 11 am and reach Mumbai at 6:45 pm. Notable stops along the route include Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Manmad Junction, Nasik Road, Kalyan Junction, Thane, and Dadar before reaching Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) in Mumbai.

Regular Schedule and Future Plans

Starting from January 1, the Jalna-Mumbai Vande Bharat Express will run regularly, departing from CSMT at 1:10 pm and arriving in Jalna at 8:30 pm. From January 2 onwards, the train will depart from Jalna at 5:05 am and reach CSMT at 11:55 am.

Inauguration Ahead of Ram Mandir Consecration

The inauguration of the Ayodhya Dham railway station by Prime Minister Modi holds symbolic significance as it precedes the ‘pran pratishtha’ or consecration ceremony of the Ram Mandir scheduled for January 22. The holy city of Ayodhya has been adorned with decorations, including flowers, murals, and thematic ornamental columns, while heavy security deployment ensures a smooth and secure environment for the event.