Update (May 29, 01:00 pm): Assam gets its first Vande Bharat Express today, which is flagged off by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The Vande Bharat Express will connect Assam and West Bengal. While flagging off the Vande Bharat Express via video conferencing, PM Modi said, “Today, its a big day for rail connectivity in the northeast, including Assam. Three projects related to northeast connectivity are going on simultaneously. Firstly, northeast today got its first made-in-India, Vande Bharat. Secondly, electrification work has been completed on railway tracks of around 425 KM between Assam and Meghalaya….”Today, its a big day for rail connectivity in the northeast, including Assam. Three projects related to northeast connectivity are going on simultaneously. Firstly, northeast today got its first made-in-India, Vande Bharat.Secondly, electrification work has been completed on… pic.twitter.com/ReMvs3pXBd— BJP (@BJP4India) May 29, 2023 First Vande Bharat Express for Assam in Northeast to be flagged off todayAs a part of the move taken by the Indian railways, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will flag off the first Vande Bharat Express of Northeast bound Assam. The state-of-the-art will be flagged off by PM Modi via video conferencing.The train will be running between Guwahati in Assam and New Jalpaiguri railway station in West Bengal. The preparations for the grand launch of another Vande Bharat have been done by the Northeast Frontier Railway.Prime Minister Shri @narendramodi will virtually flag off Assams first Vande Bharat Express on 29th May 2023.Watch live:📺https://t.co/ZFyEVlesOi📺https://t.co/vpP0MIos7C📺https://t.co/lcXkSnOnsV📺https://t.co/4XQ2GzrhRl pic.twitter.com/O3EVs58gHn— BJP (@BJP4India) May 28, 2023While inaugurating the Vande Bharat Express via video conferencing, the Union Minister for Railways Aswini Vaishnaw and the chief Minister of Assam Himanta Biswa Sarma will also attend the event making their presence at the Guwahati railway station.Ahead of the event, taking it to Twitter, Prime Minister Narendra Modi wrote, “I am delighted to flag off Assams first Vande Bharat Express tomorrow, 29th May, at noon. This state-of-the-art train embodies our commitment to providing speed, comfort and enhanced connectivity. It will also boost tourism and enrich socio-economic development.”I am delighted to flag off Assams first Vande Bharat Express tomorrow, 29th May, at 12 noon. This state-of-the-art train embodies our commitment to providing speed, comfort and enhanced connectivity. It will also boost tourism and enrich socio-economic development.— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 28, 2023The train would considerably shorten the distance between Guwahati and New Jalpaiguri, travelling between the two cities in around an hour less time than the present quickest train. According to an official announcement from the Prime Ministers Office, the Vande Bharat Express beats the previous quickest train, which needs 6 hours and 30 minutes to complete the same distance.Additionally, 182 kilometres of freshly electrified railway lines will be dedicated by the prime minister, boosting eco-friendly transportation with quicker train speeds and shorter travel times. In addition to enabling cleaner and more effective train operations, this milestone clears the way for trains using electric traction to enter Meghalaya, according to the release.At Lumding, the Prime Minister will also dedicate a recently built DEMU/MEMU shed. The upkeep of the DEMU rakes working in the area will be greatly aided by this cutting-edge facility, resulting in increased operational viability and effectiveness.
