PM Narendra Modi Flags Off Vande Bharat Express In Kerala

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today, the 25th of April, Tuesday, flagged off Kerala's first Vande Bharat Express train from Thiruvananthapuram.

The PM also inaugurated the Kochi Water Metro, a one-of-its-kind project that connects 10 islands through electric hybrid boats.

Highlighting about the Vande Bharat Express train, the train will cover 11 districts namely Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Kottayam, Ernakulam, Thrissur, Palakkad, Pathanamthitta, Malappuram, Kozhikode, Kannur and Kasaragod. In addition, The train has being touted by many as an alternative to the ruling Left Democratic Front government's ambitious semi-high speed rail corridor - SilverLine. The Vande Bharat Express is an indigenously manufactured, semi-high-speed, self-propelled train set. The train has state-of-the-art passenger amenities, providing passengers with a faster, more comfortable and more convenient travel experience.

Meanwhile, besides the Vande Bharat Express train, the PM of India also launched nation's first water metro in Kerala's Thirvananthapuram. In addition, PM Modi also inaugurated several other projects in Kerala, including the Kochi Water Metro, a one-of-its-kind project that connects 10 islands around Kochi through battery-operated electric hybrid boats for seamless connectivity with the city.

Later, PM Narendra Modi addressed a rally in Thiruvananthapuram, and said, "If Kerala develops, India will develop faster."

Notably, the developments came ahead of the state assembly elections and 2024 National Elections, during the two days tour of PM Modi in Kerala.