New Delhi/Bhuj, May 22 (IANS). A new direct rail link between Kutch and New Delhi was inaugurated on Friday with the launch of the Bhuj-Delhi Express service in the virtual presence of Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnav. The state government gave information about the ongoing railway expansion and investment in infrastructure in Gujarat.
During this, the train was flagged off from Bhuj railway station, Patel participated in the program through virtual medium from Gandhinagar and Vaishnav participated in the program through virtual medium from Pali, Rajasthan.
Addressing the event, Bhupendra Patel thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Railway Ministry for starting direct rail connectivity between Kutch and Delhi and approving the Ahmedabad-Dholera Semi High-Speed Rail project.
Bhupendra Patel said that Indian Railways is an important link of transportation and has undergone massive transformation in the last 12 years under the visionary leadership of the Prime Minister.
Referring to the Mumbai-Ahmedabad High Speed Rail Corridor, the Chief Minister said that Gujarat has played a leading role in the modern railway expansion of the country through the Bullet Train Project.
He said that the work on the country’s first bullet train is progressing at full speed and informed that about 348 km portion of the project is being built in Gujarat.
Bhupendra Patel said that under the guidance of Modi, railway infrastructure development in Gujarat has gained momentum since 2014.
“Since 2014, 2,900 km of new railway tracks have been laid in the state, while railway projects worth Rs 1.28 lakh crore are currently under implementation in Gujarat,” he said.
He further said that Gujarat has been allocated Rs 17,366 crore in the Railway Budget for 2026-27, which he said is 29 per cent more than the allocation made in 2014.
The Chief Minister also mentioned the expansion of passenger rail services in the state and said Gujarat has received five Vande Bharat Express trains, one Amrit Bharat train and one NaMo Bharat train.
He further said that rail connectivity to the Statue of Unity through Ekta Nagar station has improved the convenience of visitors visiting this tourist destination.
He stressed, “I am confident that the ongoing ‘Amrit Kaal’ under the leadership of the Prime Minister and the guidance of the Railway Minister will provide new impetus to railway development and contribute to building a developed India.
Minister of State Trikam Chhanga, MP Vinod Chavda, MLAs and officials of Kutch district, senior railway officials and local residents were present during the flag hoisting ceremony at Bhuj railway station.
–IANS
SAK/DSC