PM Narendra Modi says, Vande Bharat is a symbol of Indian Railways' transformation, connecting the soul of India

VARANASI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, after flagging off four Vande Bharat trains, including one between Varanasi and Khajuraho from Banaras railway station on Saturday morning, termed these indigenously developed premium semi-high-speed trains as a symbol of the transformation of Indian Railways and said, "The Vande Bharat network is connecting holy sites considered the soul of India and transforming heritage cities into symbols of national progress.

"While addressing a gathering at Banaras railway station after interacting with school children who travelled on the inaugural Banaras-Khajuraho Vande Bharat Express and flagging off all four Vande Bharat trains from platform 8, Modi highlighted the significance of Vande Bharat in boosting religious tourism. He mentioned, "These journeys are not merely routes for divine darshan, but sacred traditions that connect with the soul of India.

Prayagraj, Ayodhya, Haridwar, Chitrakoot, and Kurukshetra are spiritual centres of the nation’s heritage. These holy sites are now being connected through the Vande Bharat network. It marks a convergence of India’s culture, faith, and development journey."In India, he said, pilgrimage has remained a medium of national consciousness for centuries. "In the past 11 years, developmental initiatives in Uttar Pradesh have elevated pilgrimage to a new level.

Only in the year 2024, the footfall of devotees in Varanasi went above 11 crore to offer prayer at Kashi Vishwanath Dham, while since the consecration of Ram Lulla, over 6 crore people have visited Ayodhya. These pilgrims have contributed thousands of crores of rupees to UP’s economy," he said.

He remarked that this influx has provided sustained earning opportunities to hotels, traders, transport companies, local artists, and boat operators across the state.

As a result, hundreds of youth in Varanasi are now launching new ventures—from transport services to Banarasi saree businesses. He affirmed that these developments have opened the doors of prosperity in Uttar Pradesh and Varanasi.Robust infrastructure is a major driver of the economy for developed nations to achieve significant progress and development, said Modi, adding, "India too is rapidly striding on this path.

Trains like Vande Bharat, Namo Bharat, and Amrit Bharat have laid the foundation for the next generation of Indian Railways, which is a comprehensive campaign to transform Indian Railways."With the launch of four new Vande Bharat trains, including Banaras–Khajuraho, Firozpur–Delhi Vande Bharat, Lucknow–Saharanpur, and Ernakulam–Bengaluru, the total number of operational Vande Bharat trains in the country has now exceeded 160, said Modi.

He described Vande Bharat as a train made by Indians, for Indians, and of Indians—one that fills every Indian with pride. Even foreign passengers are astonished upon seeing Vande Bharat, said Modi, mentioning that India has embarked on a mission to enhance its resources for a developed India, and these trains are poised to become milestones in that journey.UP chief minister Yogi Adityanath and railway minister Ashwini Vaishnaw were present at the flag-off ceremony at Banaras railway station, while Governor of Kerala Rajendra Arlekar, Union ministers Suresh Gopi, George Kurian, Ravneet Singh Bittu, and UP deputy CM Brajesh Pathak were connected through videoconferencing to the event from the centres where the other three Vande Bharat trains started their maiden journey.The new Vande Bharat trains launched to enhance regional mobility, promote tourism, and support economic activity across the country will save time for travellers. The Banaras–Khajuraho Vande Bharat will save about 2 hours 40 minutes compared to the special trains currently in operation. It will connect India’s most revered religious and cultural destinations, including Varanasi, Prayagraj, Chitrakoot, and Khajuraho.

This link will not only strengthen religious and cultural tourism but also provide pilgrims and travellers with a fast, modern, and comfortable journey to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Khajuraho.The Lucknow–Saharanpur Vande Bharat will cover the journey in approximately 7 hours 45 minutes, saving nearly 1 hour of travel time. It will benefit passengers from Lucknow, Sitapur, Shahjahanpur, Bareilly, Moradabad, Bijnor, and Saharanpur, while also improving access to the holy city of Haridwar via Roorkee.The Firozpur–Delhi Vande Bharat will be the fastest train on this route, completing the journey in just 6 hours 40 minutes. It will strengthen connectivity between the national capital and key cities in Punjab, including Firozpur, Bathinda, and Patiala. This train is expected to boost trade, tourism, and employment opportunities, contributing to the socio-economic development of border regions and fostering greater integration with national markets.In Southern India, the Ernakulam–Bengaluru Vande Bharat will reduce travel time by over 2 hours, completing the journey in 8 hours 40 minutes. It will connect major IT and commercial hubs, providing professionals, students, and tourists with a faster and more comfortable travel option. The route will promote greater economic activity and tourism between Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka, supporting regional growth and collaboration.