Bengaluru, Nov 1 :Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday described the Bengaluru-Mumbai Vande Bharat Sleeper train as a “game changer” for rail connectivity between the two major cities, saying the service would benefit people in Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra.
Sharing a post by the Railway Ministry on the flagging off of the service on social media platform X, Modi said it marked another step towards improving rail connectivity, particularly from Bengaluru, a major centre of technology and innovation.
“Another step towards better rail connectivity and that too from Bengaluru, the city of technology and innovation!” he said.
“The Vande Bharat Sleeper Train will be a game changer for connectivity between Bengaluru and Mumbai,” the prime minister added.
Modi said the service would particularly benefit youngsters, IT professionals and students while strengthening connectivity across the three states.
Earlier on Sunday, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw flagged off the Bengaluru-Mumbai Vande Bharat Sleeper Express from Sir M Visvesvaraya Terminal (SMVT) in Bengaluru on the occasion of Kannada Rajyotsava.
Minister of State for Railways V Somanna, Union Ministers Pralhad Joshi and H D Kumaraswamy, Minister of State Shobha Karandlaje, BJP MPs Tejasvi Surya, P C Mohan and C N Manjunath, and BJP Rajya Sabha members Lahar Singh Siroya and Jaggesh attended the inaugural event.
Vaishnaw waved to people gathered at the railway station before joining other dignitaries on a tour of the newly introduced train. They inspected its facilities and interacted with passengers.
Addressing the media, the railway minister congratulated the people of Karnataka and Bengaluru on the launch of the service on Kannada Rajyotsava.
“On the occasion of Kannada Rajyotsava, the Vande Bharat Sleeper service between Bengaluru and Mumbai is being launched. This is a very good train and will connect the technological capital Bengaluru with the financial capital Mumbai. This will be the third Vande Bharat service,” he said.
The new service is expected to provide passengers with an additional rail travel option between Bengaluru and Mumbai, two major economic and commercial centres.
The launch is aimed at expanding premium rail connectivity and improving inter-city travel.
