Keeping on track the June deadline set by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to drive in Vande Bharat across all the states, the Union railway ministry is in final stages to launch Northeast’s first Vande Bharat Express train between New Jalpaiguri to Guwahati.
According to Union railway minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, the trials of the proposed project have been fast tracked following the launch of Odisha’s first Vande Bharat train. PM Modi virtually launched the Odisha’s first Vande Bharat train between Puri to Howrah on May 18.
“PM Modi has set a target that Vande Bharat should reach almost all the states by June. Vande Metro is being designed for a distance of less than 100 km and for daily travel of passengers,” Vaishnaw said.
Confirming the move, Sanjay Chilwarwar, additional divisional railway manager, Katihar, Northeast Frontier said that the project is already in advanced stages and will soon get all final clearances.
As per the proposed plan the Vande Bharat Express (Up-22227-Down-22228) will cover about 410 km in 6 hours cutting the travel time between New Jalpaiguri to Guwahati by about half. The train will be run six days a week and will start from New Jalpaiguri station in Siliguri and reach Guwahati.
