Bhubaneswar: Amid speculations about regular operations of Howrah-Puri Vande Bharat Express, the BJP on Wednesday said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to flag off the semi-high-speed train from Puri railway station in Odisha.
“As PM Modi has dedicated the train services from various parts of the country, we are hopeful that he would visit Odisha as well,” BJP general secretary Prithviraj Harichandan told the media.
The Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) is yet to make any official announcement in this regard.
While reports earlier suggested that the train is likely start operations from May 15. Harichandan said that the exact date is yet to be finalised and hopefully it will happen soon. Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan are also expected to be present at Puri railway station during the flagging-off ceremony.
The first successful trial run of Vande Bharat Express was conducted from Howrah-Puri on April 28 and the second one till Bhadrak two days later.
The new Vande Bharat Express is expected to have a total of 14 coaches – both chair car and executive class coaches – and run three days a week (Mondays, Fridays, and Saturdays), but no specific date has been announced yet. It will halt at limited stations including Kharagpur, Bhadrak, Balasore, Cuttack, Bhubaneswar, and Khurda, making it easier for pilgrims and tourists travelling to Puri, the abode of Lord Jagannath, from the neighbouring state.
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