Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated a new chapter for Indian Railways and pilgrimage tourism on Saturday, flagging off four new Vande Bharat trains from his parliamentary constituency, Varanasi.
A Boost for Connectivity and Pilgrimage
The ceremony, held at the Banaras railway station, saw the physical launch of the Varanasi–Khajuraho Vande Bharat Express. Simultaneously, the Prime Minister virtually flagged off three other crucial routes: the Delhi–Firozpur, Lucknow–Saharanpur, and Ernakulam–Bengaluru Vande Bharat trains.
Beginning his address in the local Bhojpuri dialect, PM Modi extended greetings to the people of Kashi. He described the event as a continuation of the city's festive spirit, following the recent celebrations of Dev Deepawali. "After Dev Deepawali, today again we celebrate Kashi’s festival of development," he stated.
Infrastructure as the Backbone of a Developed India
The Prime Minister emphasized that robust infrastructure is the fundamental pillar for any developed nation, a path India is now rapidly advancing on. He asserted that the expansion of railway networks, roads, and new facilities is scripting a fresh narrative of growth in every corner of the country.
Highlighting a significant milestone, PM Modi revealed that over 160 Vande Bharat trains are now operational nationwide. He hailed these trains as powerful symbols of India's engineering capability and self-reliance.
"Vande Bharat, Namo Bharat, and Amrit Bharat trains are laying the foundation for the next generation of Indian Railways," he said. "Vande Bharat is a train made by Indians, for Indians, and every Indian is proud of it."
Blending Devotion with Development
PM Modi intricately linked this infrastructural push with the growth of spiritual tourism. He articulated that India's pilgrimages are not merely religious journeys but traditions that unite the nation's soul. He noted that sacred sites including Prayagraj, Ayodhya, Haridwar, Chitrakoot, and Kurukshetra are now seamlessly connected by the Vande Bharat network.
Providing concrete data on the economic impact, the Prime Minister highlighted the surge in pilgrimage tourism in Uttar Pradesh over the last 11 years. He shared that 110 million devotees visited Baba Vishwanath temple last year. Furthermore, since the construction of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, over 60 million people have visited Ram Lalla.
"This has brought thousands of crores in revenue to the UP economy and employed lakhs of people," he added, underscoring the direct link between faith and economic prosperity.
Beyond tourism, PM Modi also spotlighted Varanasi's transformation into the health capital of eastern Uttar Pradesh. He noted that patients who previously had to travel to Mumbai for treatment now have access to modern hospitals, cancer centres, and Ayushman Bharat services within the city.
The event was attended by a host of dignitaries, including Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, and Kerala Governor Rajendra Arlekar, marking a significant moment for the nation's rail infrastructure and cultural connectivity.
