Today, Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagged off two Vande Bharat trains, Mumbai-Solapur Vande Bharat and Mumbai-Sainagar Shirdi Vande Bharat, at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus in Mumbai. The Prime Minister also dedicated two road projects to the nation, the Santacruz Chembur Link Road and Kurar underpass project, aimed at reducing road traffic congestion and streamlining vehicle movement in the city.
In his address to the gathering, the Prime Minister emphasized the significance of these trains for advanced connectivity in Maharashtra and India as a whole. He noted that the Vande Bharat trains would connect economic centers like Mumbai and Pune to centers of faith, thereby benefiting those traveling for college, office, business, pilgrimage and agricultural purposes. The Prime Minister said that the Vande Bharat trains are a reflection of India's speed and scale and highlighted that 10 such trains have already started operating, connecting 108 districts of 17 states in the country.
The Prime Minister also emphasized the need for improving public transport in 21st-century India, which will lead to a better quality of life for citizens. He noted that the recent budget allocated 10 lakh crore exclusively for infrastructure development, with 2.5 lakh crore earmarked for the railways. The Prime Minister expressed confidence that this budget, promoting the spirit of "Sabka Vikas Sabka Prayas," would give strength to every family and encourage everyone to build a developed India.
Mumbai-Solapur Vande Bharat Train will be the 9th such train in the country, improving connectivity between Mumbai and Solapur and facilitating travel to pilgrimage centers like Siddheshwar in Solapur, Akkalkot, Tuljapur, Pandharpur, and Alandi near Pune. Mumbai-Sainagar Shirdi Vande Bharat, the 10th Vande Bharat train, will improve connectivity to pilgrimage centers in Maharashtra like Nashik, Trimbakeshwar, Sainagar Shirdi, and Shani Singanapur.
The Prime Minister was accompanied by Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, Union Minister Narayan Rane, Union Ministers of State Ramdas Athawale and Kapil Moreshwar Patil, and other ministers from the Government of Maharashtra.
In conclusion, the flagging off of two Vande Bharat trains in Mumbai and the dedication of two road projects is a significant step towards fulfilling the Prime Minister's vision of building better, more efficient, and passenger-friendly transport infrastructure in India.
