Chennai/Hyderabad: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday flagged off two Vande Bharat express trains and inaugurated the new terminal building of Chennai airport during his visits to Telangana and Tamil Nadu.
Modi flagged off the Chennai-Coimbatore Vande Bharat Express at MGR Chennai Central railway station in Chennai. Upon arriving at the venue, he also inspected the coaches of Chennai-Coimbatore Vande Bharat Express and also interacted with children as well as with the train’s crew.
Later he tweeted: “The wonderful cities of Chennai and Coimbatore have even better connectivity thanks to the Vande Bharat Express. Flagged off the train and also met young friends on the occasion.”
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The PM waved the green flag to launch run of Secunderabad-Tirupati Vande Bharat express at Secunderabad railway station in Hyderabad, the capital city of Telangana. Like Chennai railway station, he also inspected the Secunderabad-Tirupati Vande Bharat express and also interacted with passengers and the train’s crew.
“Flagged off the Vande Bharat Express that enhances connectivity between Secunderabad and Tirupati. I congratulate the people of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh for this train,” twitted the Prime Minister after the launch.
Secunderabad-Tirupati Vande Bharat express connecting IT City, Hyderabad with the abode of Lord Venkateswara, Tirupati, is the second Vande Bharat train to be started from Telangana within a short span of three months. The train will reduce the travel time between the two cities by almost three and a half hours and will be particularly beneficial for pilgrims.
The PM was was accompanied by the governor of Telangana Tamilisai Soundararajan, Union railways minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and the Union tourism minister G Kishan Reddy on the occasion.
Integrated terminal building of Channai airport opened
The Prime Minister also inaugurated the new integrated terminal building (phase- 1) of Chennai International Airport, in Chennai, today. He also took a walk-through of the new facility.
“The new terminal in Chennai airport will greatly help the people of this great city and across Tamil Nadu. The terminal building also has a flavour of the rich culture of Tamil Nadu,” he later tweeted.
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Developed at the cost of ₹1260 crores, the addition of this new integrated terminal building will increase the passenger serving capacity of the airport from 23 million passengers per annum (MPPA) to 30 MPPA. The new terminal is a striking reflection of the local Tamil culture, incorporating traditional features such as the Kolam, Saree, Temples, and other elements that highlight the natural surroundings.
Tami Nadu governor R N Ravi, chief minister M K Stalin, the Union civil aviation minister Jyotiraditya Scindia and Union minister of state for fisheries, animal husbandry and dairying L Murugan were present on the occasion.
