Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the stone laying foundation of various projects at Raipur, in Chhattisgarh on July 07, 2023.
Raipur/Gorakhpur: Prime Minister Narendra Modi today dedicated and laid the foundation stone for 5 National Highway projects worth around Rs 6,400 crores in Raipur. He dedicated to the nation the doubling of the 103 km long Raipur – Khariar Road Rail Line, completed at a cost of Rs 750 crores, and a 17 km long new railway line connecting Keoti – Antagarh developed at a cost of Rs 290 crores.
Further, the Prime Minister dedicated to the nation a bottling plant of the Indian Oil Corporation with a capacity of 60 thousand metric tons per annum at Korba constructed at a cost of over Rs 130 crores. He also initiated the distribution of 75 lakh cards to the beneficiaries under the Ayushman Bharat.
Modi flagged off Antagarh – Raipur Train via video link in Raipur and he also flagged off two new and upgraded versions of Vande Bharat Express trains at Gorakhpur Station today. He also laid the foundation stone of Gorakhpur Railway Station redevelopment. The station will be redeveloped at a cost of around Rs. 498 crore to provide “world-class” passenger amenities.
The two trains flagged off today will improve connectivity among the state capitals and other cities, reduce the travelling time and enhance the comfort of the journey. They will be running respectively between Gorakhpur-Lucknow via Ayodhya, and Jodhpur- Ahmedabad (Sabarmati).
The Gorakhpur-Lucknow Vande Bharat Express, which is Uttar Pradesh’s second Vande Bharat Express train, will depart from Gorakhpur and will reach Lucknow the same day with stoppages at Basti and Ayodhya. With the operation of the Vande Bharat train, the connectivity of Gorakhpur and Lucknow and nearby religious places and tourist places will increase, as well as the all-round development of the region will also enhance. This route will also fulfil the long demand for connectivity between the religious towns.
The Jodhpur- Ahmedabad (Sabarmati) Vande Bharat Express train will depart from Jodhpur Railway Station and reach Ahmedabad (Sabarmati) station the same day with stoppages at Pali, Marwad, Ranakpur, Abu Road.
Vande Bharat Express trains offer a myriad of superior amenities which provide passengers with a “world-class” comfortable travelling experience and advanced state-of-the-art safety features including KAVACH technology. Each train has been provided with bogies having fully suspended traction motors for 160 kmph operational speed. The advanced state-of-the-art suspension system ensures a smooth and safe journey and enhanced riding comfort for passengers.
The trains have been designed to increase Indian Railways’ Green footprint by dispensing with power cars and saving about 30% electricity with an advanced regenerative braking system.
Meanwhile, Modi also addressed the closing ceremony of the centenary celebrations of the historic Gita Press in Gorakhpur, today and released the Chitramaya Shiva Purana Granth. The Prime Minister also visited Leela Chitra temple in the Gita Press and paid floral tribute to the portrait of Lord Ram.
Referring to Mahatma Gandhi’s emotional attachment to Gita Press, the Prime Minister recalled that Gandhiji once used to write for Kalyan Patrika published by Gita Press. He noted that it was Gandhi who suggested that advertisements should not be published in the Kalyan Patrika and pointed out that the suggestion is still being followed. Modi referred to the government conferring the Gandhi Peace Prize to Gita Press on its centenary year to honour its contribution and its 100-year-old legacy.
– global bihari bureau
