Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Monday said that the Vande Bharat Express which was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi earlier in the day, will prove beneficial for the development of tourism in the state and the northeastern region.
The 18th Vande Bharat Express which became operational on Monday, will connect Guwahati and New Jalpaiguri station in West Bengal. This route witnesses heavy passenger traffic as a lot of people travel regularly on the route.
Addressing reporters, the Chief Minister said: "The semi high speed train will further strengthen the connection between Assam and Bengal. We are very happy. Tourists can travel to the state with further ease and it will boost our tourism sector. The other states of northeast will also get benefits from this newly launched train service."
Vande Bharat will cut short the travel time between Guwahati and New Jalpaiguri by at least an hour.
Also in a series of tweets, Sarma had said this was a "turning point in efforts to modernise northeast's rail network since 2014 -- from high speed train connectivity to 400 per cent increase in railway expenditure".
"With robust implementation of PM-Gatishakti, various roads, air & water connectivity projects, NE has become physically and emotionally very close to the rest of the country," Sarma said.
While virtually flagging off the train, Prime Minister Modi said: "Vande Bharat will provide connectivity to Maa Kamakhya Temple, Kaziranga, Manas National Park, and Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary. Furthermore, it will enhance travel and tourism in Shillong, Cherrapunji in Meghalaya and Tawang and Pasighat in Arunachal Pradesh."
A large crowd had gathered in the Guwahati railway station to witness the inaugural run of the semi high-speed train which will begin its regular run from Wednesday onwards.
Union Ministers Ashwini Vaishnaw, Sarbananda Sonowal and other dignitaries were present on the occasion.
States should boost biz reforms to generate higher incomes for citizens: Eco Survey
States should focus on business reforms on a priority basis to achieve buoyancies in some industrial or service sectors, the Economic Survey 2024-25 said on Friday.
NCERT team seizes pirated textbooks in Agartala
Officials of the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT), along with Tripura Police, seized pirated NCERT books that were being sold to students in bookshops in Agartala, officials said on Friday.
Mamta Kulkarni's past haunts her, leads to expulsion from Kinnar Akhada
Actress Mamta Kulkarni, who ruled the 90s, has been expelled from the Kinnar Akhada. The designation of Mahamandaleshwar, which was given to the actress, has been revoked. The reason behind the same has been revealed to the actress’ past link to cinema, and her alleged criminal past.
Eco Survey suggests enhanced deregulation for MSMEs to boost growth
Faster economic growth is only possible if the Union and state governments continue to implement reforms that allow small and medium enterprises to operate efficiently and compete cost-effectively, said the Economic Survey 2024 on Friday.
Lifestyle choices, workplace culture key for mental well-being, productivity: Eco Survey
Lifestyle choices and workplace culture are critical for the mental well-being and thus, the productivity of the people in India, according to the Economic Survey 2024-25 on Friday.
Eco Survey: Demographic advantage, responsible approach position India to benefit from AI
With AI research and development currently concentrated in the hands of a few, very large companies that control the resources to erect high entry barriers, AI adoption in place of humans presents the risk of concentrating the benefits of automation.
Prez Murmu faces ‘repeated’ insults from Congress: Sonia Gandhi’s comments fuel backlash
The BJP was quick to condemn the remarks, calling them “derogatory” and accusing the Congress of disrespecting the President. BJP leaders said that Congress’s “feudal mindset” cannot accept that a tribal woman like Droupadi Murmu achieved the position of President of India.
India's farm sector has clocked robust growth on the back of govt schemes: Economic Survey
The agriculture sector in India has shown robust growth in recent years, averaging 5 per cent annually from FY17 to FY23, demonstrating resilience despite challenges, according to the Economic Survey 2024-25.