In a departure from previous grand launches, the Centre has opted for a more low-key approach for the simultaneous launch of all Vande Bharat Express trains. This decision comes in light of the recent triple train tragedy in Odisha, which resulted in a significant loss of lives and injuries.
The launch, originally scheduled at different intervals, will now take place on June 26. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will remotely inaugurate five routes — Mumbai/Goa, Bangalore/Hubli, Patna/Ranchi, Bhopal/Indore, and Bhopal/ Jabalpur — via video conferencing. Notably, the Railway Ministry had initially cancelled the Mumbai-Goa Vande Bharat train launch following the Odisha tragedy.
Previous launches of the semi-high-speed trains have been accompanied by much fanfare, with all inaugurations conducted by Modi.
The Vande Bharat Express trains, known for their semi-high speed, will now total 23 in the country, with plans for their operation across several States, excluding the northeastern States except Assam.
The low-key nature of the new route launches is in response to criticism from the Opposition, accusing the Government of spending more on publicity for the Vande Bharat routes than on the actual manufacturing costs of the trains. However, the Railway Ministry has dismissed these allegations.
Prior to the scheduled inaugural of the Goa-Mumbai Vande Bharat Express, Railway Minister Ashwani Vaishnaw had announced plans to connect all States with the new-age express train by the end of June 2023.
“Vande Bharat trains will start covering all the States by June. We have a target to connect 200 cities with Vande Bharat by the middle of next year. Production work is going at a fast pace for the implementation of the project,” Vaishnaw stated at a Press conference, which took place before the Odisha train tragedy, to announce the flagging off of Goa’s Vande Bharat Express by Modi.
The first Vande Bharat Express train was inaugurated on February 15, 2019, on the New Delhi-Kanpur-Allahabad-Varanasi route. These trains can reach a maximum speed of 160 kmph.
During his address to the nation on August 15, 2021, from the Red Fort, Modi announced plans for 75 Vande Bharat trains to connect every corner of the country over the course of 75 weeks during the Amrit Mahotsav of Independence.