Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday flagged off Eastern India’s first and India’s 7th Vande Bharat Express, connecting Howrah to New Jalpaiguri via video conferencing.
The ultra-modern Semi High-Speed Train is equipped with state-of-the-art passenger amenities.
The Howrah-New Jalpaiguri Vande Bharat Express train will cover the distance in eight hours and will be in operation six days a week (except Wednesdays).
The train will stop at Malda Town, Barsoi and Kishanganj stations en route in both directions.
Semi-high-speed Vande Bharat Express can run up to a maximum speed of 160 kmph and has travel classes like Shatabdi trains but with better facilities.
The Vande Bharat Express between Howarah and New Jalpaiguri is the first Vande Bharat Express for West Bengal as well as Eastern India and the 7th Vande Bharat after Varanasi-New Delhi, Katra-New Delhi, Mumbai Central-Gandhinagar, New Delhi-Amb Andaura, Chennai-Mysuru and Bilaspur-Nagpur.
On Friday, PM Modi also inaugurated the Joka-Taratala Stretch of the Joka-Esplanade Metro Project (Purple Line) in West Bengal via video conferencing.
He also dedicated four railway projects to the nation including Boinchi – Shaktigarh 3rd Line, Dankuni – Chandanpur 4th Line Project, Nimtita – New Farakka Double Line and Ambari Falakata – New Maynaguri – Gumanihat Doubling Project.
The Prime Minister also laid the foundation stone for the redevelopment of the New Jalpaiguri Railway Station in the state.
