Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagged off two much-awaited trains from Krantiveera Sangolli Rayanna Railway Station in Bengaluru on November 11 — south India’s first Vande Bharat Express between Mysuru and Chennai via Bengaluru, and Bharat Gaurav Kashi Darshan train.
The Vande Bharat Express is part of the 75 such trains expected to be running all across India by the end of 2023. For passengers travelling from Chennai Central railway station to Mysuru, the fare will be ₹1,200 for economy and ₹2,295 for executive class. From Mysuru to Chennai, the fare in economy is ₹1,365 and ₹2,485 for executive class.
The train will cover the 497 km stretch between Mysuru and Chennai in 6 hours 39 minutes. Besides Bengaluru, the train will halt at Katpadi in Tamil Nadu.
Speaking at a public event, Mr. Modi said, “Today, Karnataka got its first made-in-India Vande Bharat train. It is the new identity of New India. Launch of Vande Bharat Express gives a glimpse of how Indian Railways will grow in the 21st century. It signifies India now wants to run fast, and is doing everything to achieve it ... More than 400 new Vande Bharat trains and Vista Dome coaches will become the new identity of Indian Railways.”
Mr. Modi also flagged off the Bharat Gaurav Kashi Darshan train to Banaras (Varanasi), which is scheduled to reach Banaras (Varanasi) at 4 p.m. on November 13. It will run via Birur, Davangere, Hubballi, Pune and Miraj.
The Karnataka Bharat Gaurav Kashi Darshan train offers an 8-day tour package at discounted rates for pilgrims and will cover Varanasi, Ayodhya and Prayagraj in Uttar Pradesh. The Karnataka government has announced a subsidy of ₹5,000 for Kashi Yatra pilgrims. The train is operated by the Muzrai Department of Karnataka, under the Bharat Gaurav Train policy of Ministry of Railways.
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