PM Modi flags off four new Vande Bharat Express trains from Varanasi

In a major boost to the railway sector Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday flagged off four new Vande Bharat Express trains from Varanasi connecting major parts of the countryThe new Vande Bharat Express trains will operate on the BanarasKhajuraho LucknowSaharanpur FirozpurDelhi and ErnakulamBengaluru routes By significantly reducing travel time between major destinations these trains will enhance regional mobility promote tourism and support economic activity across the countryPrime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said infrastructure is a major factor in the economic growth of developed countries around the world and India is also moving fast on the path of developmentHe said spiritual tourism has ushered in development in Uttar Pradesh with devotees visiting pilgrimage sites contributing thousands of crores of rupees to the states economyThe PM was speaking after flagging off four new Vande Bharat Express trains from the Banaras railway station in Varanasi his Lok Sabha constituencyIn developed countries across the world the biggest reason for economic growth has been their infrastructure In every nation that has achieved major progress the driving force behind it has been infrastructure development PM Modi saidInfrastructure is not just about big bridges and highways Whenever such systems are developed anywhere it sparks the overall development of that region he saidUnderlining Indias fastpaced progress the prime minister said With so many Vande Bharat trains running and flights arriving from countries across the world all these developments are now linked to growth Today India is also moving rapidly on this pathTrains like Vande Bharat Namo Bharat and Amrit Bharat are laying the foundation of a new generation of Indian Railways Vande Bharat is a train of Indians built by Indians for Indians of which every Indian is proud he saidNow even foreign travellers are amazed by Vande Bharat Today India has launched a campaign to improve its resources for a developed India and these trains are going to be a milestone in that he addedWith the addition of the four new trains PM Modi said more than 160 Vande Bharat Express trains are now operational in the countryPM Modi further said that spiritual tourism has become a major source of income and has ushered in development in Uttar PradeshIn our country pilgrimage has for centuries been considered a medium of national consciousness These journeys are not merely routes for darshan of deities but a sacred tradition that connects the soul of India PM Modi saidPlaces like Prayagraj Ayodhya Haridwar Chitrakoot and Kurukshetra are the centres of our spiritual beliefs he saidToday as these sacred destinations are being connected through the Vande Bharat network it is also linking Indias culture faith and development This is an important step towards making symbols of Indias heritage a representation of national growth he saidThese journeys also have an economic aspect which is often not discussed Over the past 11 years the development work done in Uttar Pradesh has elevated pilgrimage tourism to a new level the PM saidLast year more than 11 crore devotees came to Kashi for Baba Vishwanaths darshan and since the construction of the Ram Temple over 6 crore people have visited Ayodhya to seek the blessings of Ram Lalla These devotees have contributed thousands of crores of rupees to Uttar Pradeshs economy and provided steady income to hotel owners transport operators local artists and boatmen he saidThis has created new opportunities for the youth PM Modi notedHundreds of young people in Varanasi are now starting new ventures from transport to local businesses Because of all this the doors of prosperity are opening in Kashi and across Uttar Pradesh he saidTo realise the dream of a Viksit Bharat Developed India from a Viksit Kashi numerous infrastructure projects are being undertaken here PM Modi saidToday Kashi is experiencing continuous expansion development and qualitative improvement with facilities ranging from good hospitals good roads gas pipelines and internet connectivity he saidWork on the ropeway is progressing rapidly he saidOur effort is to make visiting Varanasi staying in Varanasi and enjoying the amenities of Varanasi a special experience for everyone he addedPM Modi said the government is also striving to improve health services in VaranasiHe said 1011 years ago BHU hospital was the only option for people seeking treatment for serious illnesses Due to the large number of patients one could not get treatment even after waiting overnightFor serious illnesses like cancer people would sell their land and farms and travel to Mumbai for treatment Today our government has worked to alleviate all these concerns of the people of Kashi Mahamana cancer hospital for cancer Sankara Netralaya for eye treatment the stateoftheart trauma centre at BHU and the divisional hospital at Shatabdi Chikitsalaya Pandeypur have all become a boon for Kashi Purvanchal and the surrounding states he saidDue to Ayushman Bharat and Janaushadhi Kendras in these hospitals millions of poor people are saving crores of rupees Kashi has become known as the health capital of this entire region the prime minister saidRailway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath also attended the eventThe new Vande Bharat Express trains will operate on BanarasKhajuraho LucknowSaharanpur FirozpurDelhi and ErnakulamBengaluru routesThe semihighspeed trains will significantly reduce travel time between major stations enhance regional mobility promote tourism and support economic activity across the country according to an official statementThe BanarasKhajuraho Vande Bharat Express will connect prominent cultural and religious destinations including Varanasi Prayagraj and Chitrakoot officials saidWith inputs from Agencies