On April 25, 2023, Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagged off Kerala’s first Vande Bharat Express train from Thiruvananthapuram. Thousands of people lined the roadsides hours before his arrival at the Thiruvananthapuram airport to greet him and shower him with flowers as his cavalcade passed by. PM Modi’s visit to the southern state comes amidst the BJP’s massive minority outreach program, which has reportedly received a positive response from some priests of various Christian denominations.
The party leaders’ recent visit to Christian families and breakfast meetings with some priests in the community are being seen as part of their efforts to reach out to minorities ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. The BJP hopes that PM Modi’s visit will give impetus to their ongoing campaign and kickstart the party’s propaganda for the general election.
The Vande Bharat Express is a 16-coach air-conditioned train that can run at a maximum speed of 180km/h. The train has been built by the Integral Coach Factory in Chennai and is an indigenous product of India. The train has been designed to provide world-class facilities to passengers, including comfortable seats, Wi-Fi, infotainment systems, and onboard catering.
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Features
The Vande Bharat Express has several features that make it a unique train in India. Some of these features are:
Aerodynamic Design
The train has an aerodynamic design, which reduces air drag and improves its speed. The train has a bullet-shaped nose and an advanced disc brake system, which ensures a smooth and safe journey for passengers.
LED Lighting
The train has LED lighting, which reduces power consumption and provides a bright and comfortable ambiance for passengers.
GPS-Based Passenger Information System
The train has a GPS-based passenger information system, which provides real-time information about the train’s location, speed, and arrival time at different stations.
Automatic Doors
The train has automatic doors, which ensure the safety of passengers and prevent unauthorized entry.
Bio-Toilets
The train has bio-toilets, which are eco-friendly and hygienic. The toilets have a vacuum-based flushing system, ensuring proper waste disposal.
On-Board Catering
The train has an onboard catering system, which provides passengers with a variety of food options. IRCTC, the catering arm of Indian Railways, does the catering.
Benefits
The Vande Bharat Express is expected to provide several benefits to passengers, some of which are:
Speed
The train can run at a maximum speed of 180 km/h, which is much faster than the existing trains in India. The Vande Bharat train started its journey from Thiruvananthapuram Central Station and will cover 11 districts in Kerala, including Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Kottayam, Ernakulam, Thrissur, Palakkad, Pathanamthitta, Malappuram, Kozhikode, Kannur and Kasargod. Bookings for the train were opened on Sunday morning.
Comfort
The train has been designed to provide world-class facilities to passengers, including comfortable seats, Wi-Fi, infotainment systems, and onboard catering. The train also has automatic doors, bio-toilets, and a GPS-based passenger information system, making the journey more comfortable and safe for passengers.
ANI’s Tweet
#WATCH | Kerala: PM Narendra Modi along with Governor Arif Mohammed Khan, CM Pinarayi Vijayan and MP Shashi Tharoor arrives at Thiruvananthapuram Central railway station where he will be flagging off the Vande Bharat Express train. pic.twitter.com/i5eVgSSrl2
— ANI (@ANI) April 25, 2023
Conclusion
The introduction of the Vande Bharat Express in Kerala is a significant milestone in the state’s transportation history. The train’s unique features and efficient design make it a game-changer in the Indian railway industry. It is a step towards modernizing India’s transportation infrastructure and providing better services to its citizens.
Source: NDTV
