New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to further expand India’s high-speed rail network with the inauguration of three new Vande Bharat Express trains on Saturday. These state-of-the-art trains will connect major cities in Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, enhancing connectivity and promoting tourism in the respective regions.
Southbound Expansion
Chennai Central to Nagercoil Vande Bharat train | Route stops and timings: The inaugural journey will be flagged off from Chennai Central, but the train will operate regularly from Chennai Egmore, running daily except Wednesdays. This route will be a boon for pilgrims visiting the famed Arulmigu Meenakshi Amman Temple in Madurai and the Kumari Amman Temple in Kanniyakumari. Train No. 20627 will depars Chennai Egmore at 5 am, reaching Nagercoil at 1:50 pm with stops at Tambaram, Villupuram, Tiruchirappalli, Dindugal, Madurai, Kovilpatti, and Tirunelveli. The return journey leaves Nagercoil at 2:20 pm, arriving in Chennai at 11 pm.
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Madurai to Bengaluru Cantonment Vande Bharat train | Route stops and timings: This six-day-a-week service, excluding Tuesdays, will connect the temple city of Madurai with the bustling metropolis of Bengaluru.Train No. 20671 will depart Madurai at 5:15am, reaching Bengaluru Cantonment at 1pm with stops at Dindugal, Tiruchirappalli, Karur, Namakkal, Salem, and Krishnarajapuram. The return journey departs Bengaluru at 1:30pm, arriving in Madurai at 9:45pm.
Northern Connectivity
Meerut City-Lucknow Vande Bharat train | Route stops and timings:: This train will begin its regular service from Lucknow on Sunday and from Meerut on Monday, operating six days a week excluding Tuesdays. The route is expected to boost religious tourism in the region, offering faster travel to pilgrimage sites like the Digambar Jain Temple, Mansa Devi Mandir, Surajkund Temple, and Augharnath Temple. Train 22490 will depart Meerut City at 6:35am, reaching Lucknow’s Charbagh railway station at 1:45pm with stops at Moradabad and Bareilly. The return journey departs Charbagh railway station at 2:45pm, arriving in Meerut City at 10:00pm.
With the addition of these three trains, the Vande Bharat Express network will expand to over 100 trains, connecting more than 280 districts across India. PM Modi will flag off all three Vande Bharat Express trains via video conferencing.
