The time when the first bullet train will run in India is not far, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Monday as he underlined the “rising” demand for high-speed trains from across the country and the sector’s “historic transformation” under his Government. Modi inaugurated and laid the foundation stones of multiple railway projects through video conferencing, further strengthening India’s railway infrastructure. Union Minister of Railways Ashwini Vaishnaw, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Manjhi, Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy, and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu also attended the virtual event. Among the key projects, PM Modi inaugurated the new Jammu Railway Division, marking a significant step towards enhanced connectivity in the region.

 

He also inaugurated the Charlapalli New Terminal Station in Telangana and laid the foundation stone of the Rayagada Railway Division Building of the East Coast Railway. Addressing the event, the Prime Minister highlighted the strides India is making in connectivity, referring to his recent experience with the Namo Bharat train in Delhi-NCR and the expansion of Delhi Metro projects. “This is a significant achievement.

 

The metro network in India has now crossed over 1,000 kilometres,” he said. Calling it a “big day for India’s new age connectivity,” PM Modi stressed the collective progress of the nation, stating that the projects reflect the mantra of “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas” and the resolution of a “Viksit Bharat”. He congratulated the people of the nation on the launch of these transformative projects. The Prime Minister noted the transformation in Indian Railways over the past decade, stressing visible changes in infrastructure, services, and connectivity. “The development of Indian Railways is crucial for achieving the resolution of a Viksit Bharat,” he said. He elaborated on four focus areas for railway development: modernisation of infrastructure, enhanced facilities for commuters, improved connectivity across the country, and employment generation.