Railway minister flags off two new trains in NE states, Vistadome coach for train in J-K
Oct 19, 2023
New Delhi [India], October 19 : Union Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw flagged off two new trains and announced the extension of additional two trains to remote parts of North East on Thursday. A new Vistadome coach in Budgam-Banihal train in Jammu and Kashmir was also flagged off.
One of the new trains connects Guwahati and Dullabcherra in Assam, and it was simultaneously flagged off by the railway minister through video-conferencing from Delhi, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma in Guwahati and Manoj Sinha, Lieutenant Governor, Jammu & Kashmir.
"PM Modi has focussed on the railway connectivity and development of the Northeast and Jammu and Kashmir after assuming power in 2014...Today, four new services in the Northeast and one Vistadome service in Jammu and Kashmir have been inaugurated. Everyone is happy that PM's vision for the development of Northeast is now being implemented," said Vaishnaw while talking to ANI.
While speaking on the occasion, Ashwini Vaishnaw said, "In last nine years, North East states and Jammu Kashmir have changed a lot and the change is discernible on the ground. Prime Minister has visited North East region more than 60 times which is higher than the visits of Prime Ministers of India before him. After abrogation of Article 370, development of Jammu and Kashmir is pacing fast. Recently, meetings of G20 were held in the state of Jammu and Kashmir.
"In Railways also, various development projects have been ongoing in both these regions. Railways have allotted the annual budget of around Rs. 10,269 Crores for North East, while earlier it was around Rs 2122 Crores. Railways' projects are progressing swiftly in North eastern states. Two Vande Bharat Trains are also planned for North East," added.
Manoj Sinha, Lieutenant Governor, Jammu and Kashmir said, "Vistadome coach between Banihal and Budgam is a big leap by Railways in the development of the Union territory. The state-of-the-art Vistadome will attract tourists in large number." He said that there has been substantial boost in tourism in recent times and the new coach will further give impetus to the development of the area.
