New Delhi, May 22: The Bhuj-Delhi Express service was inaugurated on Friday, establishing a new direct rail link between Kutch and New Delhi. This event took place in the virtual presence of Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw. The state government also shared updates on ongoing railway expansions and infrastructure investments in Gujarat.
During the ceremony, the train was flagged off from Bhuj railway station. Patel participated virtually from Gandhinagar, while Vaishnaw joined from Pali, Rajasthan.
In his address, Bhupendra Patel expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Railway Ministry for initiating direct rail connectivity between Kutch and Delhi, as well as approving the Ahmedabad-Dholera semi-high-speed rail project.
Patel highlighted that Indian Railways is a vital link in transportation, noting significant transformations over the past 12 years under the Prime Minister’s visionary leadership.
Referring to the Mumbai-Ahmedabad high-speed rail corridor, the Chief Minister stated that Gujarat has played a leading role in the country’s modern railway expansion through the bullet train project. He mentioned that construction of the country’s first bullet train is progressing rapidly, with approximately 348 kilometers of the project being developed in Gujarat.
Patel noted that since 2014, there has been accelerated development in railway infrastructure in Gujarat under Modi’s guidance. He reported that 2,900 kilometers of new railway tracks have been laid in the state since 2014, with current railway projects worth ₹1.28 lakh crore underway.
He also mentioned that Gujarat has been allocated ₹17,366 crore in the 2026-27 railway budget, which is a 29% increase compared to the allocation made in 2014.
The Chief Minister discussed the expansion of passenger rail services in the state, stating that Gujarat has received five Vande Bharat Express trains, one Amrit Bharat train, and one Nammo Bharat train. He emphasized that the rail link to the Statue of Unity through Ekta Nagar station has improved access for visitors to this tourist site.
He asserted, “I am confident that under the Prime Minister’s leadership and the guidance of the Railway Minister, the ongoing ‘Amrit Kaal’ will provide new momentum to rail development and contribute to building a developed India.”
State Minister Trikram Chhanga, MP Vinod Chavda, local legislators and officials, senior railway officers, and local residents were present at the flag-off ceremony at Bhuj railway station.
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