Mon Sep 16 18:56:43 UTC 2024: ## New Vande Bharat Express Connects Visakhapatnam to Durg, Boosting Regional Development

**Visakhapatnam, September 16, 2024:** Prime Minister Narendra Modi virtually flagged off the inaugural run of the Visakhapatnam-Durg Vande Bharat express on Monday evening. The new high-speed train is expected to contribute significantly to the growth and development of North Andhra, as well as regions in Odisha and Chhattisgarh.

Union Minister of Civil Aviation, Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu, hailed the launch as a testament to the commitment of the “double engine sarkar” – the Modi government at the Centre and the Chandrababu Naidu government in Andhra Pradesh – to the region’s development. He highlighted the upcoming South Coast Railway zone, headquartered in Visakhapatnam, and announced that the land for the zonal headquarters has been allocated and the foundation stone laying ceremony will take place between Dasara and Deepavali.

The launch also marked India’s continued progress in manufacturing state-of-the-art coaches domestically with indigenous technology and expertise. Naidu expressed optimism that future plans for Vande Bharat sleeper trains would further enhance the country’s railway infrastructure.

The new train service is expected to provide faster and more comfortable travel options for passengers travelling between Visakhapatnam and Durg, thereby boosting tourism and trade in the region.

The event was attended by several dignitaries including Visakhapatnam MP M. Sribharat, Rajya Sabha Member Golla Babu Rao, Mayor G. Hari Venkata Kumari, and MLAs P.G.V.R. Naidu, P. Vishnu Kumar Raju, and Palla Srinivasa Rao.

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