Describing the Vande Bharat Express as a testament to India’s technological prowess and the ongoing transformation of Indian Railways, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday flagged off four new Vande Bharat trains, including the Varanasi–Khajuraho route, from the Varanasi railway station.

PM inaugurated several new Vande Bharat trains, including the Kashi–Khajuraho, Firozpur–Delhi, Lucknow–Saharanpur, and Ernakulam–Bengaluru routes, as part of the government’s push to enhance infrastructure and connectivity across India.

Outlining his vision behind connecting holy cities through the Vande Bharat network, PM Modi called it an effort to unite the “soul of India” and transform the country’s heritage cities into symbols of national progress.

While addressing a gathering at Banaras railway station after interacting with schoolchildren who travelled on the inaugural Banaras–Khajuraho Vande Bharat Express, Modi said the initiative reflects a new era of connectivity, efficiency, and development. The Prime Minister virtually flagged off all four new trains from platform number 8, marking another milestone in India’s mission toward a “Viksit Bharat” (Developed India).

The Prime Minister emphasized the role of infrastructure in driving economic growth and regional development.

“In developed countries around the world, a major reason behind their economic progress has been their strong infrastructure. In every nation that has achieved significant growth and development, the driving force behind their progress has been infrastructure development,” PM Modi said. He highlighted how projects such as roads, railways, and airports directly contribute to the growth of towns and villages.

The Prime Minister also spoke about the Vande Bharat trains as a symbol of India’s progress, saying, “Today, even foreign travellers are amazed when they see the Vande Bharat train. The way Bharat has begun its mission to enhance its capabilities for a Viksit Bharat, these trains are becoming a milestone in that journey.”

PM Modi stressed the cultural and economic significance of connecting pilgrimage sites through the Vande Bharat network. “Places like Prayagraj, Ayodhya, Haridwar, Chitrakoot, Kurukshetra and countless other pilgrimage sites are the centres of our spiritual heritage. Now, as these holy places are getting connected through the Vande Bharat network, it is also connecting Bharat’s culture, faith, and development,” he said.

The Prime Minister also highlighted the economic benefits of religious tourism. “Over the past 11 years, the development works in Uttar Pradesh have taken religious tourism to an entirely new level. Last year alone, 11 crore devotees visited Kashi for Baba Vishwanath’s darshan. Since the construction of the Ram Temple, more than 6 crore devotees have visited Ayodhya to seek blessings of Ram Lalla. These pilgrims have contributed thousands of crores of rupees to Uttar Pradesh’s economy,” he said.

Speaking about the ongoing development in Kashi, PM Modi said, “To realize the mantra of ‘Viksit Kashi to Viksit Bharat,’ we are continuously undertaking numerous infrastructure projects here. Today, Kashi is witnessing expansion and improvement in hospitals, roads, gas pipelines, and internet connectivity, and the growth is not just in numbers, but qualitative improvements as well.”

The Prime Minister also highlighted the government’s efforts in healthcare infrastructure in Kashi. “About 10-11 years ago, the situation was such that for any serious illness, people had only one option, which was BHU. Today, our government has worked to reduce these worries. For cancer treatment, the Mahamana Cancer Hospital has been established; for eye care, the Shankar Netralaya; within BHU, a state-of-the-art Trauma Centre and the Shatabdi Hospital; and in Pandeypur, the Divisional Hospital — all these hospitals have become a blessing not only for Kashi and Purvanchal but also for neighbouring states,” he said.

PM Modi also praised schoolchildren who participated in competitions on development themes related to Vande Bharat trains.

“Although the children had only a few days to prepare, I was deeply impressed by their creativity. They had made drawings depicting a Viksit Kashi, a Viksit Bharat, and a Surakshit Bharat. I also heard poems written by 12- to 14-year-old boys and girls. Such beautiful and thoughtful verses! As the MP of Kashi, I felt truly delighted today,” he said.