Prime Minister Narendra Modi virtually flagged off the Durg-Visakhapatnam Vande Bharat Express train from Raipur railway station on Monday.

The new express train is set to revolutionize travel between the two cities, reducing the journey time from the previous 11-12 hours to a mere 8 hours. 

Loco pilot J.D. Navrengay said that the train can reach a top speed of 160 km/h and is equipped with advanced safety features. “It’s a matter of national pride,” he said, stressing the train’s modern amenities and efficiency. Navrengay highlighted a key safety measure: the train’s engine will not start unless all doors are securely closed.

The inaugural run saw enthusiastic participation from local schoolchildren, who were among the first passengers to experience the state-of-the-art train. Diksha Sahu, a student on board, expressed her excitement, highlighting the train’s cleanliness and passenger-friendly facilities.

School principal Bhushan Paragniya praised the train as a “boon for intercity travelers,” highlighting its potential to boost Chhattisgarh’s development. He advocated for more such trains to accelerate the state’s progress.

The flagging-off ceremony was attended by several dignitaries, including Chhattisgarh Governor Raman Deka, Union Minister Tokhan Sahu, MP Brijmohan Aggarwal, and MLAs Purender Mishra and Khushwant Saheb.

This latest addition to India’s Vande Bharat fleet underscores the government’s commitment to modernizing the country’s railway network.

(With ANI inputs)