Gandhinagar (Gujarat): Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagged off the much talked-about Gandhinagar-Mumbai Vande Bharat express and inaugured phase-I of Ahmedabad Metro project at different public functions in Ahmedabad on Friday.
He also travelled on the Vande Bharat train from Gandhinagar to Kalupur railway station and took ride of metro from Kalupur station to Doordarshan Kendra metro station.
Addressing the gathering, the Prime Minister said that today is a big day for India of 21st century, urban connectivity and Aatmnirbhar Bharat. He expressed his delight in the ride that he undertook in Vande Bharat Train and Ahmedabad Metro.
Modi praised the sound-proofing inside the Vande Bharat Express, where the sound was reduced to a hundredth when compared to what is experienced inside an airline. On a personal note, the Prime Minister thanked the people of Ahmedabad for a huge turnout and in a light-hearted manner, recounted the wisdom and calculation of Ahmedabad commuters. “I can not salute Ahmedabad enough, today, Ahmedabad has won my heart”, a visibly moved Prime Minister said.
In the last eight years, in more than two dozen cities either metro has started or work is in an advanced stage. Dozens of smaller cities have been connected via air connectivity and UDAN scheme. Similarly, railways stations are undergoing transformation. “Today, Gandhinagar Railway Station is no less than any airport in the world”, he said.
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Citing the success of Ahmedabad-Gandhinagar, the Prime Minister elaborated on the success of twin-city development concept. He said that many twin cities like Anand-Nadiad, Bharuch Ankaleshwar, Valsad and Vapi, Surat and Navsari, Vadodara – Halol Kalol, Morvi-Wankaner and Mehsana Kadi are going to further strengthen Gujarat’s identity.
Talking about the Vande Bharat Express, the Prime Minister pointed out that the journey between the two big cities of Ahmedabad and Mumbai will become comfortable while also reduce the distance. The Prime Minister further added that an express train takes roughly seven to eight hours to complete the journey from Ahmedabad to Mumbai, whereas a Shatabdi train takes six and half to seven hours. On the other hand, the Vande Bharat Express will take a maximum of five and a half hours to complete the journey from Gandhinagar to Mumbai, the PM said.
“So far, more than seven thousand electric buses have been approved in the country under this scheme”, Shri Modi added, “Central government has spent close to Rs. 3,500 crore on these electric buses.” The Prime Minister informed that eight hundred fifty electric buses have been introduced in the state of Gujarat as part of this scheme so far, of which a hundred are already running on the roads of Gujarat.
Speaking about the developments made in the railway network, the PM said that a large part of the country’s railway network has been freed from unmanned gates. “Once the Eastern and Western Dedicated Freight Corridors are ready, the speed of goods trains will also increase and delays in passenger trains will also be reduced”, he added.
Chief minister of Gujarat Bhupendra Patel, governor Acharya Devvrat, Union minister of railways Ashvini Vaishnav, Union minister of housing and urban affairs Hardeep Singh Puri and many other leaders were present.
Vande Bharat Express
The Vande Bharat Express offers a myriad of superior and aircraft-like traveling experiences. It is equipped with advanced state-of-the-art safety features including an indigenously developed Train Collision Avoidance System – KAVACH. There are reclining seats in all classes while the Executive Coaches have the added feature of 180-degree rotating seats. Every coach is equipped with 32” screens providing passenger information and infotainment.
Ahmedabad Metro (Phase-I)
Phase-I of Ahmedabad metro project comprises about 32 km of the east-west corridor from Apparel Park to Thaltej and the North-South corridor between Motera to Gyaspur. The Thaltej-Vastral route in the East-West corridor has 17 stations. This corridor also has a 6.6 km underground section with four stations. The 19 km North-South corridor that connects Gyaspur to Motera Stadium has 15 stations. The entire Phase 1 project is built at a cost of more than ₹12,900 crores.
Ahmedabad Metro is a massive state of art infrastructure project involving underground tunnels, viaducts & bridges, elevated and underground station buildings, ballastless rail tracks and driverless train operation compliant rolling stock etc. The metro train set is equipped with an energy-efficient propulsion system which can save about 30-35% of energy consumption. The train has a state of art suspension system providing a very smooth riding experience to passengers. Inauguration of Ahmedabad Phase-1 metro project will provide world-class multi-modal connectivity to the people of the city.
Multi-Modal Connectivity
Multi-Modal connectivity is being provided with the Indian Railways, and Bus system (BRTS, GSRTC and City Bus service). This includes connectivity with BRTS at Ranip, Vadaj, AEC station etc. and with Indian Railways at Gandhidham, Kalupur and Sabarmati station. At Kalupur, the metro line will be connected to the High-Speed Rail system connecting Mumbai and Ahmedabad.
The inauguration and foundation stone of these wide-ranging developmental projects reflect the commitment of the Prime Minister to develop world-class infrastructure, enhance urban mobility and improve multi-modal connectivity. It also showcases the continuous focus of his government on enhancing the ease of living of the common man.
