Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Friday that the Namo Bharat train symbolises the journey of a “New India” and its new resolutions. He flagged off the Namo Bharat train on a 17-km stretch of the Delhi-Meerut Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) in Sahibabad.
The Prime Minister mentioned that the 80-km stretch between Delhi and Meerut is “just the beginning”. “Namo Bharat systems will be implemented in many parts of the country, generating employment opportunities,” he added.
Highlighting that the crew of the Namo Bharat train comprises women, he said, “This is the symbol of growing women empowerment in India.”
The Namo Bharat trains will start chugging from October 21.
Modi stated that the entire 82-kilometre stretch of the Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut RRTS will be completed within the next year and a half. He expressed confidence that he will be present to inaugurate it.
“Four years ago, I laid the foundation stone of the Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut regional corridor project. Today, the services of Namo Bharat trains have started on the stretch from Sahibabad to Duhai Depot. I had said earlier too and I say it today as well that we inaugurate the projects which we start,” he said.
“I will be there at your service when this Delhi-Meerut stretch is completed after a year or a year and a half,” Modi said.
The Prime Minister also launched virtually two stretches of the east-west corridor of the Bengaluru Metro. The function was attended by Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri and parliamentarians from western Uttar Pradesh. Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and his deputy DK Shivakumar joined the function virtually.
“This is a historic moment as India’s first rapid rail service — Namo Bharat train — has been flagged off,” said Modi, adding that the modern train service will define the journey of a “New India” and its new resolutions. The present decade will witness the transformation of railway services in the country, he said and listed initiatives such as the Namo Bharat and the Vande Bharat train services, and upgrading of railway stations under the Amrit Bharat initiative.
Modi said the “trinity of Amrit Bharat, Vande Bharat and Namo Bharat” will become a symbol of modern railways by the end of this decade.
“I am not in the habit of small dreams and walking slowly. I want to give a guarantee to the young generation of today that by the end of this decade, Indian trains will be second to none in the world,” the Prime Minister said.
He noted that the drivers as well as support staff of the newly inaugurated Namo Bharat train are women. “Namo Bharat is a symbol of the strengthening women power in the country,” Modi said. The Prime Minister said the Namo Bharat train provides a “glimpse of India of the future and exemplifies the transformation of the nation with growing economic muscle”.
Modi said the Government has drawn up a roadmap for the development of the space sector and that day was not far when an Indian will travel to the Moon in an indigenously built spacecraft.
The Prime Minister said India’s Gaganyaan will soon ferry Indian astronauts to space and the country also plans to establish its own space station.
“We have drawn a strong roadmap till 2040 for the space sector...That day is not far when we will land an Indian on the Moon on our own spacecraft,” Modi said.
Modi recalled that India’s Moon mission Chandrayaan-3 had recently placed the country’s tricolour on the lunar surface.
He said India of the 21st century was writing new chapters of progress and the landing of Chandrayaan on the Moon had left the world awestruck.
“With the impeccable hosting of the G20 Summit, today’s India has become the centre of attraction and curiosity for the world which finds new opportunities to connect. Today’s India wins more than 100 medals in the Asian Games.
“Today’s India launches 5G on its strength and takes it to all corners of the country. Today’s India does the highest digital transactions in the world. Namo Bharat trains that were flagged off today are also made in India,” the Prime Minister said.
On Friday, Modi inaugurated the 17-km priority section of the RRTS corridor between Sahibabad and Duhai Depot that has five stations —Sahibabad, Ghaziabad, Guldhar, Duhai and Duhai Depot. The segment from Duhai to Duhai Depot is a spur from the main corridor.
The entire 82.15 km Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut RRTS is targeted to be operational by June 2025.
“This 80-km Delhi-Meerut stretch is just the beginning. The first phase will see many areas of Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana and Rajasthan being connected with Namo Bharat trains soon,” he said.