Guwahati: The first Vande Bharat express train in South India has been flagged off by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday at Bengaluru’s Kranthiveera Sangolli Rayanna (KSR) Railway Station.
This is the country’s fifth Vande Bharat express train to travel between Chennai and Mysuru. In addition, PM Modi flagged off the Bharat Gaurav Kashi Darshan Train at Bengaluru’s KSR railway station.
According to the press statement issued by PMO, “It will enhance connectivity between the industrial hub of Chennai and the Tech and Startup hub of Bengaluru and the famous tourist city of Mysuru.”
The PMO added that the pilgrims would receive suitable lodging and directions for travelling to Kashi, Ayodhya, and Prayagraj.
Karnataka is the first state to take up this train under the Bharat Gaurav scheme in which the Government of Karnataka and the Ministry of Railways are working together to send pilgrims from Karnataka to Kashi.
The Prime Minister presented floral tributes to the statues of Maharshi Valmiki and the saint poet Kanakadasa at Vidhana Soudha in Bengaluru before to the ceremonial hoisting of the flag.
Later, PM Modi celebrated the opening of Terminal 2 at Kempegowda International Airport. A public event will follow the unveiling of the 108-foot Nadaprabhu Kempegowda statue in Bengaluru at around 12:30 p.m. PM Modi will attend the 36th Gandhigram Rural Institute Convocation ceremony in Dindigul, Tamil Nadu, at roughly 3:30 pm.
As per PMO, “The Airport has already established a benchmark in sustainability with 100 per cent usage of renewable energy across the campus. Terminal 2 has been created with sustainability principles woven into the design. Based on the sustainability initiatives, Terminal 2 will be the largest terminal in the world to be pre-certified platinum rating by US GBC (green building council) prior to commencing operations. The theme of ‘Naurasa’ unites all the commissioned artworks for Terminal 2. The artworks reflect the heritage and culture of Karnataka as well as the broader Indian ethos.”