Rajmohan Unnithan, a Congress MP, passionately emphasized that Kerala's entitlement to receive 10 Vande Bharat express trains should not be misconstrued as an act of generosity but rather as a rightful claim. He underscored that these trains should not be regarded as the personal property of any individual, asserting that such an assumption would be arrogant and unfounded. This declaration came during an event held at the Kasaragod railway station before the commencement of the second Vande Bharat train in the state, which was officially inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
During this momentous occasion, Prime Minister Modi virtually inaugurated nine Vande Bharat express trains across the country, marking a significant expansion of the rail network.
Unnithan's insistence on Kerala's legitimate claim prompted a response from Union Minister of State (MoS) for External Affairs V Muraleedharan, who sought to reassure the Congress MP that Kerala would receive much more than just 10 Vande Bharat trains under the leadership of the Narendra Modi government. He stated unequivocally that the government was committed to providing Kerala with everything it was rightfully entitled to.
Furthermore, while aboard one of these Vande Bharat trains, Muraleedharan reiterated Kerala's prospects of receiving additional Vande Bharat trains. He pointed out that there were already 34 such trains in operation, with over 400 more in the pipeline, indicating a substantial commitment to improving the state's connectivity.
The Union Minister also highlighted Kerala's abundant tourist destinations scattered across the state and emphasized how the availability of a high-speed train like Vande Bharat would significantly enhance tourists' ability to access these attractions swiftly. He viewed this development as a pivotal moment in Kerala's journey towards economic growth and development.
When asked if the Vande Bharat train could be considered an alternative to the proposed Silverline project, Muraleedharan downplayed the latter, referring to it as a semi-high-speed corridor that existed primarily on paper.
Muraleedharan expressed great joy over the inauguration of the Vande Bharat train by the Prime Minister, considering it a momentous occasion.
Apart from the Union Minister, several other notable figures were present on the train's inaugural journey. These included P K Krishnadas, Chairman of Indian Railways' Passenger Amenities Committee (PAC), V Abdurahiman, Kerala Minister for Sports, Wakf and Haj Pilgrimage, Posts and Telegraph, and K Surendran, the BJP state president.
Abdulrahman spoke to reporters and revealed that the Union Railway Minister had stated that it wasn't feasible to add more stations to the route of the first Vande Bharat Express to maintain its travel time. However, he assured that the second train would connect Alappuzha and Malappuram, with a stop at Tirur station, fulfilling a previously unmet need.
Abdulrahman also noted that the popularity of the Vande Bharat Express demonstrated the state's demand for high-speed trains, asserting that if the travel time could be reduced to 4-5 hours, it wouldn't be seen as an alternative but a necessity.
Surendran, the BJP state president, celebrated the inauguration of the second Vande Bharat train from Kasaragod to Thiruvananthapuram as a boon for the people and the state's development. He pointed out that many states had not received even two Vande Bharat trains, highlighting the significance of this achievement for Kerala.
Visuals from the Kasaragod station showcased a massive crowd gathered to witness the new Vande Bharat Express and capture selfies and videos alongside it. The train commenced its journey to the beat of drums and songs after being inaugurated by Prime Minister Modi in an online ceremony.
The second Vande Bharat train in Kerala sported a fresh orange-grey color scheme, distinct from the blue-white of the first one, and featured eight coaches, half the number of the previous train. Other notable differences included the addition of a new station, Tirur, and the replacement of Kottayam with Alappuzha as a stop, as confirmed by a railway official.
The second train was scheduled to commence service on September 26, running from Thiruvananthapuram to Kasaragod. Starting from September 27, it would operate from Thiruvananthapuram to Kasaragod and back, with Mondays reserved for maintenance.
The new Vande Bharat trains inaugurated by the Prime Minister would operate on the following routes: Udaipur-Jaipur; Tirunelveli-Madurai-Chennai; Hyderabad-Bengaluru; Vijayawada-Chennai (via Renigunta); Patna-Howrah; Kasaragod-Thiruvananthapuram; Rourkela-Bhubaneswar-Puri; Ranchi-Howrah; and Jamnagar-Ahmedabad.
These trains were equipped with top-notch amenities and advanced safety features, including Kavach technology, to provide modern, fast, and comfortable travel options for the general public, professionals, business travelers, students, and tourists, according to a statement from the railways.
Kerala's first Vande Bharat Express was previously inaugurated by Prime Minister Modi in April, marking a significant milestone in the state's transportation infrastructure.
