Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagged off Odisha’s first Vande Bharat Express connecting Puri and Howrah, via video conferencing, on Thursday.
With the Vande Bharat Express hitting the track, Odisha has now got its fastest train on the route which will cover 500 km distance in around 6.5 hours.
Meanwhile, the excitement of passengers and school students, who got an opportunity to take part in the historic moment of railway services in Odisha, reached zenith during the luxurious travel on the Vande Bharat Express.
“As Vande Bharat Express is a semi-high speed train, it travels at a thrilling speed. The staff of this train are very friendly and they are taking all measure to provide a comfortable journey experience. I am very delighted to board the train on its inaugural day,” said a girl student.
Comparing other trains with Vande Bharat Express, another student said, “Unlike normal trains, this semi-high speed train is completely air-conditioned, has automatic doors and big windows. The train provides a very comfortable travel experience.”
“I have travelled in many trains, but the Vande Bharat Express is completely different. Equipped with comfortable seats, large window panes, spacious coaches, four exit doors, announcement systems, CCTV cameras for safety measures, the train gives a very good experience,” a passenger said.
“I thank Prime Minister Narendra Modi for providing Vande Bharat Express to Odisha,” said a lady passenger.
The Vande Bharat Express will run six days a week except Thursdays. It will depart Howrah at 6.10 am and reach Puri at 12.35 pm. In the return direction, it will leave Puri at 1.50 pm and arrive at Howrah at 8.30 pm.
The train, with 16 coaches, will stop at Kharagpur, Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur Keonjhar Road, Cuttack, Bhubaneswar and Khurda Road.