Union Minister for Railways, Ashwini Vaishnaw on Monday inaugurated Bhubaneswar-New Delhi Rajdhani Express with Tejas rakes at a special function held in the Capital city.
While addressing the gathering, Vaishnaw announced that second Vandhe Bharat Express will roll soon in the state. The Vande Bharat Express is scheduled to run from Rourkela to Bhubaneswar. The route chart for the second Vande Bharat has been finalised and it will cover Rourkela, Sundargarh, Talcher and Angul.
“Earlier, Prime Minister had flagged off the Vande Bharat Express and promised another such express for Odisha. As per the promise, second Vande Bharat will run from Rourkela to Bhubaneswar,” said Vaishnaw.
On May 19, Prime Minister had virtually flagged off the first Vande Bharat Express that now connects Puri to West Bengal’s Howrah.
Union Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said that prior to 2014, about 53 km railway tracks were laid annually, but now it has increased to 459 km.
“Prior to 2014, Odisha got Rs 700 crore railway grant and it has now increased to Rs 10,000 crore,” Vaishnaw added.