Modi flags off Doon-Lucknow Vande Bharat Express
By Our Staff Reporter
Dehradun, 12 Mar: Prime Minister Narendra Modi virtually inaugurated the new Vande Bharat train between Dehradun and Lucknow, two Jan Aushadhi Centres at two stations of Uttarakhand (Kashipur, Rishikesh) and “One Station One Product Stalls” at various railway stations of Uttarakhand.
Governor Lt General Gurmit Singh (Retd) and Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami were physically present at Dehradun Railway Station during the programme. On this occasion, Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stones of/inaugurated various development projects worth more than Rs 85,000 crore from Ahmedabad.
Addressing the gathering at the Doon Railway Station, Chief Minister Dhami expressed his gratitude to the Prime Minister and the Railway Minister for the Vande Bharat train service between Dehradun and Lucknow. He said that “Vande Bharat” train is a living example of the PM’s vision of a progressive and self-reliant India. Today, unprecedented work has been done in the field of infrastructure in the country. India’s first indigenously built semi high speed train, “Vande Bharat”, reflects the bright picture of emerging India.
The CM claimed that PM Modi has special attachment towards Uttarakhand. With the support of the Central Government, Uttarakhand is rapidly moving towards development. A budget of Rs 5,120 crores has been allocated for the expansion of railways in Uttarakhand. Redevelopment work of six stations is being done under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme. The Prime Minister is fulfilling every demand of Uttarakhand. He added that, under the leadership of the PM, continuous work is being done on air connectivity, ropeway, road, rail and transport. The demand for operation of aircraft from Dehradun to Ayodhya, Pantnagar to Varanasi has been fulfilled. The demand for train operation between Tanakpur and Dehradun has also been fulfilled. He said that, under the leadership of Modi, the dream of taking trains to the mountains in Uttarakhand is going to come true. As soon as the Rishikesh-Karnprayag railway line is built, running trains in inaccessible mountains will be a matter of pride for every Uttarakhandi.
The Chief Minister said that ‘One District, Two Products’ based on Vocal for Local is being operated by the government in all the 13 districts of the state. Today, under the leadership of Modi, ‘One Station One Product’ is being started by Railways. Through this scheme, local artisans, potters, weavers and craftsmen will be provided livelihood opportunities and each shop will also provide employment opportunities to at least four to five people. Along with this, with the opening of Jan Aushadhi Kendras at two stations in the state, passengers will be able to get medicines at cheaper rates. The central and state governments together are working to implement various schemes to connect the last mile to the mainstream of development.
The new train was flagged off from platform number two at Dehradun railway station. Many LED screens were installed at the railway station to hear and see the Prime Minister’s address. Vande Bharat train was readied for its first journey here in the train yard. After washing the train, it was decorated with flowers. The train left for Lucknow at 9:30 a.m. At this time no other train leaves Doon station.
Present on the occasion were Rajya Sabha MP Naresh Bansal, former Mayor Sunil Uniyal Gama, Chief Secretary Radha Raturi and DRM RK Singh.
