New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagged off Assam's first Vande Bharat Express on Monday at 12 noon. During the inaugural ceremony, PM said, "This state-of-the-art train embodies our commitment to providing speed, comfort, and enhanced connectivity. It will also boost tourism and enrich socio-economic development." He also said that this Vande Bharat will provide connectivity to Maa Kamakhya Temple, Kaziranga, Manas National Park, and Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary. Furthermore, the Prime Minister pointed out that it will enhance travel and tourism in Shillong, Cherrapunji in Meghalaya and Tawang and Pasighat in Arunachal Pradesh.
During his inaugural speech, PM Modi congratulated citizens of North-East and West Bengal and said that it is a great day for all North-Eastern states in terms of rail connectivity. Three important issues have been addressed for boosting the rail connectivity, he added. Firstly, the first Vande Bharat Express connecting, major parts of North-East has been launched. Secondly, this train would be third Vande Bharat Express, connecting to West Bengal. He also stated that Assam and Meghalaya railway track, spanning over 450 kilometres has been 100 percent electrified successfully. Thirdly, DEMU/MEMU shed at Lumding has been inaugurated.
PM also said that the Guwahati-Jalpaiguri Vande Bharat Express train will strengthen the bonds between Assam and West Bengal. The train will facilitate smooth and convenient transportation for university and college students and enhance business-related activities and tourism. Thus, the employment opportunities will increase in the region.
As per the statement released by the Ministry of Railways on Sunday, "The state-of-the-art Vande Bharat Express will provide people of the region the means to travel with speed and comfort." Further, it added that the train will also boost tourism in the region. "Connecting Guwahati with New Jalpaiguri, the train will help save about an hour of journey time, when compared with the current fastest train connecting the two places. Vande Bharat will cover the journey in 5 hours 30 mins, while the current fastest train takes 6 hours 30 mins to cover the same journey," said the statement.
Further, the electrification of tracks will help in providing pollution-free transportation with trains running at higher speeds and reduced running time of trains. It will also open the doors for trains running on electric traction to enter Meghalaya, the statement added.
The newly inaugurated DEMU/MEMU shed at Lumding in Assam will be helpful for maintaining DEMU rakes operating in this region, leading to better operational feasibility.
The new Guwahati-Jalpaiguri Vande Bharat Express has 16 coaches and will be able to run at a maximum speed of 110 km per hour. “The speed taken by a train depends on the rolling stock capacity, which is very high in Vande Bharat Express, and the track capacity,” an official said.
The train will have stoppages at Guwahati, Kamakhya, New Bongaigaon, Kokrajhar, New Alipurduar, New Cooch Behar and New Jalpaiguri.
The Executive chair cars of Vande Bharat Express have a seating capacity of 52 each, normal Chair cars have a seating capacity of 78 each and the driving trailer coaches have a seating capacity of 44 each.
The fare for an AC chair car from Guwahati to New Jalpaiguri will be Rs 1,225, and Rs 2,205 for an executive chair car, as stated on the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) website. The train will operate for six days a week, with no service on Tuesdays.
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