NE BUSINESS BUREAU
CHENNAI, MARCH 12
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday dedicated and laid the foundation stone for Rs 85,000 Crore worth Railway Projects across Indian Railways. The Prime Minister also flagged off 10 Vande Bharat Trains and other rail services across Indian Railways.
In Southern Railway, a host of ceremonial functions were held at various locations, including the flagging off the second exclusive Vande Bharat Express train between Chennai and Mysuru.
Tamil Nadu Governor RN Ravi, Union Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting L Murugan flagged off the Vande Bharat Express train between Chennai and Mysuru . Senior railway officials Kaushal Kishore, Additional General Manager; B. Viswanath Eerya, Divisional Railway Manager, Chennai participated in the launch event here at the Dr MGR Chennai Central railway station.
- Tamil Nadu Governor RN Ravi, Union Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting, L Murugan and senior railway officials participated in the launch event here at the Dr MGR Chennai Central railway station
- From Ahmedabad, through a video link, the Prime Minister launched Rs 85,000 crore railway projects, which includes 10 new Vande Bharat train services
- The central government has allocated railway projects worth more than Rs 6,000 crores to Tamil Nadu especially in this financial year alone: MoS L Murugan
Murugan said, ”The central government has allocated railway projects worth more than Rs 6,000 crores to Tamil Nadu especially in this financial year alone. During the last five years from 2009 to 2014 during the previous UPA regime, it was just Rs 800 crore.”
The Minister also said that Prime Minister Modi and Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnav have been implementing all the necessary schemes for Tamil Nadu at the time of need. He thanked them on behalf of the people of Tamil Nadu.
The ever-changing portrait of Viksit Bharat!
10 #VandeBharatExpress trains embark on their inaugural journey from different railway stations across the Nation.#ModiSarkarKiGuarantee#RailInfra4Bharat pic.twitter.com/X9wmfIpo4K— Ministry of Railways (@RailMinIndia) March 12, 2024
The regular service of the new Vande Bharat train (Train No 20663/20664) will commence on March 14, 2024 and till April 4, 2024 it will ply between Dr MGR Chennai Central and SMVT Bengaluru with stoppages at Katpadi and Krishnarajapuram stations. With effect from April 5, 2024, the new train will be operated up to Mysuru with stoppages at Katpadi, Krishnarajapuram, KSR Bengaluru and Mandya, a Southern Railway release said.
“The new service, the second exclusive Vande Bharat between the cities, is also the third premium service in the corridor. It will benefit professionals, businessmen and students travelling regularly in the Chennai-Bengaluru-Mysuru route. The new service has stoppages at Katpadi, Krishnarajapuram, Bengaluru and Mandya,” the release said.
Flagging off of extension of Thiruvananthapuram – Kasaragod Vande Bharat up to Mangaluru Central
The PM flagged off the extension of T.No. 20631/20632 Kasaragod –Thiruvananthapuram Central – Kasaragod up to Mangaluru Central. Nalin Kumar Katil, Member of Parliament graced the event at Mangaluru Central. Arun Kumar Chaturvedi, Divisional Railway Manager, Palakkad and other Officers, Staff, rail passengers, students and general public participated in the event.
Enhancing connectivity between Kerala and Karnataka, Mangaluru Central – Thiruvananthapuram Vande Bharat service will boost the connectivity between Kerala and Karnataka saving considerable travel time between Thiruvananthapuram and Mangaluru. Pilgrimage and regional Tourism will get a significant boost with the prime pilgrim and tourist attractions falling the route.
Flagging off of Express Train service between Kollam – Tirupati (T.No.17241/17242)
The PM also flagged off the first exclusive Mail/Express service connecting Kollam – Tirupati. NK Premachandran and Kodikunnil Suresh, Members of Parliament graced the occasion at Kollam Junction. Viji MR, Additional Divisional Railway Manager, Thiruvananthapuram, Palakkad and other Officers, Staff, rail passengers, students and general public participated in the event.
Kollam – Tirupati – Kollam Express train will offer direct connectivity between the major pilgrimage centres such as Sabarimala, Guruvayur and Tirupati serving the states of Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh. The new service will offer a fillip to tourism with many tourist hotspots like Ernakulam, Aluva and Kollam falling in the route besides connecting the industrial and textile hubs of Tamil Nadu like Coimbatore, Tiruppurenroute.
Pitline at Basin Bridge, Chennai (24-LHB coach CAMTECH Standard Pitline)
The ever-changing portrait of Viksit Bharat!
10 #VandeBharatExpress trains embark on their inaugural journey from different railway stations across the Nation.#ModiSarkarKiGuarantee#RailInfra4Bharat pic.twitter.com/X9wmfIpo4K— Ministry of Railways (@RailMinIndia) March 12, 2024
Two CAMTECH pit lines for 24 LHB coach length in pit line NL 9 & NL 10 at Basin Bridge coaching yard have been commissioned at a cost of Rs.52.6 Crores. The new standard pit lines are equipped with High pressure pipe lines for easy cleaning and maintenance of coaches. Further, lighting arrangements for maintenance during night hours and Collection well and pumping systems have been provided to prevent water stagnation. The new facility will be utilized for the maintenance of Vande Bharat Coaches and other premium trains.
Goods Sheds
In Southern Railway, the following Goods Sheds (6 locations) were dedicated to the Nation by the PM. They are Singaperumal Koil, Gangaikondan, Teni, Pattukottai, Tiruturaipundi and Valliyur.
These Goods Sheds pave the way for hassle-free freight movement given their proximity to agro and industrial hubs, besides facilitating ease of of freight loading and unloading.
Pradhan Mantri Jan Aushadi Kendra
The dedication of 50 Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Kendras at railway stations enable easy access to cost-effective healthcare en route.#ModiSarkarKiGuarantee#RailInfra4Bharat pic.twitter.com/8YMZA6Yyac
— Ministry of Railways (@RailMinIndia) March 12, 2024
In Southern Railway, four Jan Aushadi Kendras (Generic Medicine shops) were dedicated to the Nation. They are: Dindigul Erode, Tiruchchirappalli and Palakkad
These Jan Aushadi Kendras have been opened to Promote Government of India’s mission to make available quality medicines and consumables (Janaushadhi products) to all at affordable price under Pradhan Mantri Jan Aushadhi Scheme. Besides enabling passengers/visitors at railway stations to easily access Janaushadhi products, these pharmacies will also create employement opportunities and general avenues for entrepreneurs.
Rail Coach Restaurant at Dr MGR Chennai Central
Offering a unique dining ambience to the rail users, the Rail Coach Restaurant is located prominently at the southern end of Dr MGR Chennai Central. With a total seating capacity of 180 persons, the restaurant offers a variety of cuisines with soothing beverages and tasty snacks. This initiative provides Non-fare revenue for railways besides creating employment opportunities.
One Station One Product stalls at 205 stations
In Southern Railway, Hon’ble PM dedicated to the Nation, a total of 205 One Station One Product (OSOP) stalls. These stalls have been set up in line with Government of India’s mission to promote ‘Vocal for Local’ mission, and to provide a market for local/indigenous products and create additional income opportunities for the marginalized sections of the society. This novel initiative will create employment opportunities for local artisans, potters, weavers /handloom weavers, craftsmen etc. The OSOP stall isalloted for a period of 15 days on payment of nominal registration fee of Rs 1,000, and the allotment process has also been simplified for the benefit of applicants.