PM Modi to flag off four Vande Bharat trains in Varanasi; UP CM reviewed preparations

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Thursday reviewed the preparations at the railway station here ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s two-day visit to his parliamentary constituency, during which he will flag off four new Vande Bharat Express trains.

The journey will begin on Friday and Modi will inaugurate Vande Bharat trains on the Banaras-Khajuraho, Lucknow-Saharanpur, Ferozepur-Delhi and Ernakulam-Bengaluru routes.

According to a statement, the Chief Minister received detailed information from senior railway and district officials regarding beautification works, security arrangements, passenger facilities and arrangements at the venue.

He directed officials to ensure that the Prime Minister’s visit runs smoothly and that planning is well-coordinated and free from negligence.

Adityanath stressed on maintaining cleanliness, efficient traffic management and tight security in the entire station premises, the official statement said.

A statement issued by the Press Information Bureau said that the trains which are being inaugurated will significantly reduce travel time between major destinations and enhance regional mobility, boost tourism and support economic activities across the country.

It said the Banaras-Khajuraho Vande Bharat train will establish direct connectivity on this route and will save about two hours 40 minutes compared to the special trains currently running.

According to the PIB statement, the train will connect “some of the most iconic religious and cultural destinations of India”, including Varanasi, Prayagraj, Chitrakoot and Khajuraho.

“This link will not only strengthen religious and cultural tourism but will also provide fast, modern and comfortable travel to pilgrims and travelers to Khajuraho, a UNESCO World Heritage Site,” it reads.

The Lucknow-Saharanpur Vande Bharat journey will travel in approximately seven hours and 45 minutes, saving approximately one hour in travel time. According to the statement, this will also improve access to the holy city of Haridwar via Roorkee.

The statement further said that Firozpur-Delhi Vande Bharat will be the fastest train on this route, which will complete the journey in just six hours and 40 minutes. It will strengthen connectivity between the national capital and major cities of Punjab, contribute to the development of border areas and promote greater integration with national markets.

“In southern India, Ernakulam-Bengaluru Vande Bharat will reduce travel time by more than two hours, taking the journey to eight hours and 40 minutes,” the statement said. It will connect major IT and commercial hubs, giving professionals, students and tourists faster and more comfortable travel options, the statement said.

Earlier, the Chief Minister offered prayers at major temples in Varanasi in the morning and received blessings from saints.

He performed rituals at the Baba Kaal Bhairav ​​temple and sought blessings from the deity revered as the Kotwal (guardian) of Kashi.

According to the statement, Adityanath performed ‘Shodashopachar’ rituals at the Kashi Vishwanath temple and prayed for the happiness, prosperity and well-being of the people.

During the ceremony, the temple complex echoed with the slogan ‘Har Har Mahadev’.

He also visited the Satua Baba Ashram at Manikarnika Ghat, where he worshiped at the Shiva temple and met Satua Baba’s disciple Santosh Das Maharaj.