Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday flagged off Goa’s first Vande Bharat Express from Madgaon railway station via video conferencing from Bhopal.
The train will run between Mumbai's Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus and the Madgaon station. It will cover the journey in approximately seven and half hours which will help save about one hour of journey time, when compared with the current fastest train connecting the two places.
On the occasion, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said that the biggest revolution in the Railways is being done by PM Narendra Modi. "Never such revolution has taken place in the country if compared to non-BJP governments before 2014," he said.
"One can also compare the road, air, railway and water connectivity with present and past governments. Our government has made so much progress that I will require half an hour to tell you about it. We can see the changes taking place in these four areas in a tiny state like Goa," he said.
Sawant said that Vande Bharat Express will help entrepreneurs for their business activities in Maharashtra and Goa. "Railway is the real lifeline of our country wherein common people travel from one place to another," he said.
Union Minister for State for Tourism Shripad Naik said that this day is important in the developmental history of Goa. "Since 2014 progress of the nation has taken place. Around 18 Vande Bharat Express trains are running in the country, where many facilities are given to commuters," Naik said.
He said that the government is committed to completing the projects, which are pending. "By considering the needs of common people, our government has done the development," Naik said.
State Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte said that this connectivity will help in the area of tourism. "Vande Bharat Express will help to connect Konkan and the coastal belt of Goa-Maharashtra," he said.
Vande Bharat Express was scheduled to start on June 3, on the Madgaon-Mumbai route, however the inauguration was cancelled due to the Odisha train tragedy.
According to officials, the state-of-the-art Vande Bharat Express will improve the connectivity in the Mumbai-Goa route and provide the people of the region the means to travel with speed and comfort.
Colorful rally of Netaji Subhash Vidyaniketan dazzles in Agartala to mark Netaji’s birthday
Like every year, this year too, the colourful tableaus of Netaji Subhas Vidyaniketan school here at Agartala rolled over the streets of the capital town and captivated all with its dazzling display of culture and heritage.
NCLAT stays CCI ban on WhatsApp, Meta evaluating next steps
Mark Zuckerberg-run Meta on Thursday said it welcomes the decision of the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) to stay the ban imposed by the Competition Commission of India (CCI) on WhatsApp and will evaluate next steps.
Delhi elections: Parties scale up poll campaign, top leaders to address rallies
With less than a fortnight to go for Delhi Assembly elections, the electioneering is reaching a feversish pitch with top leaders of respective parties hitting the streets to woo the electorate.
I-T raids on leading Tollywood filmmakers continue for third day
The raids were also continuing on the leading production houses Mythri Movie Makers and Mango Media. The department has not yet come out with a statement about the searches but it is believed that it identified a mismatch between the revenues earned by some recent movies and the income tax paid.
One of the greatest sons of Bharat Mata: Prez Murmu pays tribute to Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose
President Droupadi Murmu on Thursday paid homage to Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose on his 127th birth anniversary, acknowledging his monumental role in India's freedom struggle and his enduring legacy.
India expects accountability on 2023 consulate attack in San Francisco: EAM Jaishankar
Nearly hours after meeting with newly appointed US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Wednesday, External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar said that "India expects accountability" for the attack on the Indian consulate in San Francisco in 2023 a "very serious matter" and those responsible to be held accountable.
Trump speaks with Saudi's Crown Prince, his first call with foreign leader since taking office
During the call, the Crown Prince congratulated Trump and conveyed the congratulations of King Salman to the President after being sworn in, wishing the American people further progress and prosperity.
Trump redesignates Iran-backed Houthi rebels as foreign terrorist organisation
US President Donald Trump has issued an executive order designating Yemen's Houthi rebels as a Foreign Terrorist Organisation (FTO), reversing a Biden-era policy that had removed the group from the State Department's list of global terror groups.