Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed confidence in the future of high-speed rail transport in India, announcing that the country's first bullet train will soon be operational. He also virtually inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for several railway projects in Telangana, Odisha, Jammu and Kashmir, emphasising the advancements in India's railway infrastructure. Highlighting a major milestone, PM Modi shared his excitement about the new sleeper version of the Vande Bharat train. "Just a couple of days ago, I watched a video of the Vande Bharat sleeper train achieving a 180 km/h speed during trials. It’s a proud moment, not just for me but for the entire nation. This is only the beginning–the day is not far when India’s first bullet train will be operational," he remarked.

India crosses 1,000 km of metro network

In another significant development, the Prime Minister celebrated the expansion of India’s metro network. "Our country now boasts over 1,000 kilometres of metro connectivity. This is a monumental achievement for our urban transportation infrastructure," PM Modi stated. He added that the railway and metro projects launched today reflect the government’s vision of inclusive progress, encapsulated in the phrase, "Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas."

Major railway projects inaugurated 

Among the projects launched were the New Jammu Railway Division and the Charlapalli New Terminal Station in Telangana. PM Modi also laid the foundation stone for the Rayagada Railway Division Building under East Coast Railway. The creation of the 742.1-kilometer-long Jammu Railway Division is expected to enhance connectivity in the region. Covering areas like Pathankot, Jammu, Udhampur, Srinagar, and Baramulla, as well as sections such as Bhogpur Sirwal-Pathankot, Batala-Pathankot, and Pathankot to Joginder Nagar, the project will bring significant benefits to Jammu and Kashmir and its neighbouring regions, according to an official press release.