Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated 10 new Vande Bharat Express trains on Tuesday, further expanding India’s high-speed rail network. Among these, Odisha welcomed its third Vande Bharat Express, enhancing connectivity between Bhubaneswar and Visakhapatnam. The inauguration ceremony, conducted via video conferencing from Ahmedabad, Gujarat, marked a significant milestone in India’s rail infrastructure development. The newly introduced Vande Bharat Express, adorned in a unique grey-saffron livery, was inaugurated at the Visakhapatnam railway station. Operating six days a week, the train will connect key cities in Odisha and Andhra Pradesh, with stoppages at Bhubaneswar, Khurda Road, and Berhampur in Odisha, and Palasa, Srikakulam Road, and Vizianagaram in Andhra Pradesh.

Prior to its official launch, a trial run of the train was conducted on March 8, ensuring operational readiness and efficiency. With the introduction of this service, passengers can expect improved connectivity and enhanced travel experience between Bhubaneswar and Visakhapatnam. This marks the third Vande Bharat Express to be introduced in Odisha, following the successful operations of the trains on the Puri-Howrah and Puri-Rourkela routes. The expansion of the Vande Bharat network underscores the government’s commitment to modernizing India’s railway infrastructure and providing passengers with faster, safer, and more comfortable travel options.

The Vande Bharat Express project, launched in May 2023 with the inaugural service between Puri and Howrah, has since witnessed significant expansion, covering 45 routes nationwide and boasting a fleet of over 50 trains. The addition of the Bhubaneswar-Visakhapatnam route to this esteemed list reflects the government’s continued efforts to revolutionize the country’s transportation sector and promote economic growth through improved connectivity.