PM Modi flags off 2nd Varanasi-New Delhi Vande Bharat Express

20 Dec 2023 CW Team

In a significant milestone for India's railway infrastructure, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the second Vande Bharat Express connecting Varanasi and New Delhi.

The event, held at the newly opened Dedicated Freight Corridor, featured the flagging off of the Varanasi-New Delhi Vande Bharat Express, Dohrighat-Mau MEMU train, and a pair of Long Haul goods trains by the Prime Minister. The highlight was the unveiling of the 10,000th locomotive produced by Banaras Locomotive Works.

The Vande Bharat Express, emblematic of the 'Make in India' initiative, is poised to transform travel between Uttar Pradesh and the national capital. Set to commence regular operations on December 20, the train will link Varanasi, Prayagraj, Kanpur, and New Delhi, providing a fast and contemporary travel option for both pilgrims and professionals.

As a self-propelled semi-high-speed train, the Vande Bharat Express boasts exceptional design, interiors, and speed, ensuring passengers a comfortable and efficient travel experience. The journey begins at 6:00 AM from Varanasi, with stops at Prayagraj, Kanpur Central, and finally New Delhi, enhancing connectivity and contributing to cultural, industrial, and economic development in the region. The return journey starts from New Delhi at 3:00 PM, concluding in Varanasi at 11:05 PM.

Simultaneously, the inauguration of the 402 km-long segment of the Eastern Dedicated Freight Corridor from New Deen Dayal Upadhyay Junction to New Bhaupur Junction underscores the government's commitment to strengthening the logistics sector. Built at a cost of Rs 109.03 billion, this corridor connects coal fields in Jharkhand and West Bengal to power plants in Northern India.

Operating at speeds of up to 100 km/h, freight trains on this corridor have significantly reduced logistics costs and time, benefiting industries such as coal, iron, and steel. The completion of this segment not only alleviates pressure on the Delhi-Howrah main line but also sets the stage for additional passenger train services and the development of a multimodal logistics park near New Kanpur Junction.

The Eastern Dedicated Freight Corridor stands as a testament to the government's vision for modernising infrastructure and fostering economic growth. Indian Railways, often considered the engine of India's progress, continues to play a pivotal role in the nation's economic development under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi.

In a significant milestone for India's railway infrastructure, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the second Vande Bharat Express connecting Varanasi and New Delhi. The event, held at the newly opened Dedicated Freight Corridor, featured the flagging off of the Varanasi-New Delhi Vande Bharat Express, Dohrighat-Mau MEMU train, and a pair of Long Haul goods trains by the Prime Minister. The highlight was the unveiling of the 10,000th locomotive produced by Banaras Locomotive Works. The Vande Bharat Express, emblematic of the 'Make in India' initiative, is poised to transform travel between Uttar Pradesh and the national capital. Set to commence regular operations on December 20, the train will link Varanasi, Prayagraj, Kanpur, and New Delhi, providing a fast and contemporary travel option for both pilgrims and professionals. As a self-propelled semi-high-speed train, the Vande Bharat Express boasts exceptional design, interiors, and speed, ensuring passengers a comfortable and efficient travel experience. The journey begins at 6:00 AM from Varanasi, with stops at Prayagraj, Kanpur Central, and finally New Delhi, enhancing connectivity and contributing to cultural, industrial, and economic development in the region. The return journey starts from New Delhi at 3:00 PM, concluding in Varanasi at 11:05 PM. Simultaneously, the inauguration of the 402 km-long segment of the Eastern Dedicated Freight Corridor from New Deen Dayal Upadhyay Junction to New Bhaupur Junction underscores the government's commitment to strengthening the logistics sector. Built at a cost of Rs 109.03 billion, this corridor connects coal fields in Jharkhand and West Bengal to power plants in Northern India. Operating at speeds of up to 100 km/h, freight trains on this corridor have significantly reduced logistics costs and time, benefiting industries such as coal, iron, and steel. The completion of this segment not only alleviates pressure on the Delhi-Howrah main line but also sets the stage for additional passenger train services and the development of a multimodal logistics park near New Kanpur Junction. The Eastern Dedicated Freight Corridor stands as a testament to the government's vision for modernising infrastructure and fostering economic growth. Indian Railways, often considered the engine of India's progress, continues to play a pivotal role in the nation's economic development under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi.

Infrastructure Urban

02 Jun 2026

VECV Sales Rise 7.8 Per Cent In May 2026

VE Commercial Vehicles recorded sales of 7,978 units in May 2026, compared to 7,401 units in May 2025, registering growth of 7.8 per cent. This included 7,789 units from the Eicher brand and 189 units from the Volvo brand.Eicher branded trucks and buses reported sales of 7,789 units during the month, up 7.3 per cent from 7,258 units a year earlier. In the domestic commercial vehicle market, Eicher sales rose 9.1 per cent to 7,375 units from 6,758 units in May 2025.Exports declined 17.2 per cent to 414 units from 500 units in the corresponding month last year. Volvo Trucks and Volvo Buses recor..

Infrastructure Urban

02 Jun 2026

Table Space Strengthens DESYN Leadership Team

Table Space has announced strategic leadership appointments within DESYN, its integrated Design and Build business, as it looks to strengthen operations across key enterprise and GCC markets in India. DESYN was launched as a strategic extension of Table Space’s workspace solutions portfolio to meet rising demand for agile, high-quality and rapidly deployable enterprise workspaces.Shruti Ookabhoy has joined DESYN as Executive Director and will lead the Design vertical, focusing on design capability, operational excellence and team development across markets. She brings over 22 years of experi..

Infrastructure Transport

02 Jun 2026

Concord Associate Bags Rs 2.79 Bn Kavach Order

Concord Control Systems said its associate company, Progota India, has received a Rs 2.79 bn domestic order from Indian Railways for the supply, installation, testing and commissioning of on-board Kavach 4.0 loco equipment.The order is scheduled for execution within 12 months and strengthens Concord’s role in India’s railway safety and signalling ecosystem. Kavach is India’s indigenous automatic train protection system, designed to improve operational safety by helping prevent signal passing at danger and reducing collision risks.Gaurav Lath, Joint Managing Director, Concord Control Syst..