Soon after performing the last rites of his mother in Ahmedabad, Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagged off the Kolkata- New Jalpaiguri Vande Bharat Express through video conferencing on Friday. The semi-high speed train will cut the travel time between the two stations by three hours.
“The central government is making a record investment to modernise Indian Railways. Now, modern trains like the Vande Bharat Express, Tejas Express and the Humsafar express are being made in India. In the next eight years, we’ll see railways on a new journey of modernisation,” PM Modi said.
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PM Modi was scheduled to visit West Bengal on December 30 to inaugurate a host of development projects but due to sudden demise of his mother, he attended the events virtually
The blue-and-white train, which covers a distance of 564 km in 7.45 hours, will have three stoppages at Barsoi, Malda and Bolpur.
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PM Modi inaugurated the Joka-Taratala stretch of the Purple Line of the Kolkata Metro as well through video conferencing.
The Prime Minister also inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for various Railway projects in West Bengal virtually.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee was present at the event in Kolkata during inauguration.
“On behalf of the people of West Bengal, I thank you so much for giving us this opportunity. It’s a sad day for you. Your mother means our mother also. May God give you the strength to continue your work, please take some rest,” Mamata Banerjee said.
Also Read: PM Modi flags off South’s first Vande Bharat Express on Chennai-Mysuru route
