Hyderabad/New Delhi, Sep 13: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has gifted the Telugu people two new Vande Bharat trains to mark the Vinayaka Navratri festival, aiming to enhance rail connectivity and improve public transport facilities.

Currently, four Vande Bharat trains are operational from Secunderabad Railway Station. The fifth Vande Bharat train, recently allocated, will run between Secunderabad and Nagpur.

Additionally, another Vande Bharat train will operate between Visakhapatnam and Durg. Both trains will be inaugurated by the Prime Minister from Ahmedabad on September 16, alongside the launch of 10 Vande Bharat trains nationwide, a statement said on Friday.

The Vande Bharat trains have garnered significant interest, with occupancy rates exceeding 100 per cent for the financial year 2024-2025. The new routes are expected to further enhance connectivity in areas under central jurisdiction.

The Secunderabad-Nagpur Vande Bharat train will depart from Nagpur at 0500 hours and arrive in Secunderabad at 1215 hours. On its return journey, it will leave Secunderabad at 1300 hours and reach Nagpur at 2020 hours, covering the 578-kilometer route in 7 hours and 15 minutes. The train will make stops at Kazipet, Ramagundam, Balharshah, Chandrapur, and Sevagram stations.

Following Delhi, Hyderabad now boasts the highest number of Vande Bharat trains. Union Coal and Mines Minister G Kishan Reddy highlighted Prime Minister Modi’s ongoing support for senior citizens, emphasizing the commitment to public welfare.

UNI