PM Modi says Vande Bharat a Navratri gift for Vaishno Devi devotees

PM Narendra Modi, on the launch of the train Vande Bharat, took to Twitter on Thursday, to present it as a gift to the devotees of Maa Vaishno Devi. He said that the launch of the train will help to improve the “spiritual tourism” and the “connectivity”. This comes after, the second Vande Bharat Express, also known as 'Train 18' was inaugurated by Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday morning in Delhi. This train will connect Delhi to Katra, and it is expected to bring down the travel time from New Delhi to Vaishno Devi (Katra) from 12 hours to eight hours. 

The features of the train 

PM Modi attached two infographics with his tweet, wherein, the specifications of the newly launched train were explained. The train is going to be equipped with WIFI internet and bio vacuum toilets in order to avoid the littering on tracks. Apart from this, keeping the security needs in mind, the train will have CCTV surveillance and GPS based information system. He also shared the fare of the tickets which will range from Rs. 1,630 to Rs. 3,014 for a single journey. 

Read | Vande Bharat Delhi-Katra Express launched: Here's all you need to know

The route 

While the train is set for its first commercial run, the tickets will be available on the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) website. The New Delhi-Katra Vande Bharat Express will depart from the New Delhi station at 6 am and reach Katra station (Sri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra- SVDK) at 2 pm. During the return journey, the train will depart from Katra railway station at 3 pm and reach New Delhi at 11 pm. Further, the train will halt at Ambala Cantt, Ludhiana and Jammu Tawi stations for two minutes each. It will run on all days of the week except Tuesday.

Read | A Day After Being Flagged Off, Vande Bharat Express Runs Into Trouble

Piyush Goyal on future plans 

The Railway Minister, in his address at the ceremony, explained that a new train that will connect from Kashmir to Kanyakumari would be launched before August 15, 2022. He said, “Katra to Banihar section is being constructed quickly and work on the Chenab Bridge is underway. Soon Indian Railways will connect the country from Kashmir to Kanyakumari before August 15, 2022. Earlier, work was halted due to terrorist activities in Jammu and Kashmir. Acting on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's decision of abrogating Article 370, Amit Shah has taken bold steps. People are now associating themselves with Kashmir. Prime Minister on August 15 said that Vande Bharat train will go to every corner of the country. Indian Railways will connect the country from Kashmir to Kanyakumari and Kamrup to Kutch before August 15, 2022.” 

Read | Vande Bharat Express' first run on October 5 for Delhi-Katra route

Read | A Day After Being Flagged Off, Vande Bharat Express Runs Into Trouble