PM flags off Vande Bharat, says Budget boost to middle class

In in second visit to Mumbai in less than a month, the PM flagged off Mumbai-Solapur Vande Bharat and Mumbai-Sainagar Shirdi Vande Bharat trains. He also launched two road projects, the Santacruz Chembur Link Road and Kurar underpass project, aimed at easing road traffic congestion and streamline the movement of vehicles in Mumbai. Further, he inaugurated the new campus of Aljamea-tus-Saifiyah Arabic Academy, an institute exclusively catering to the Dawoodi Bohra community.

The PM said people with an income of over Rs 2 lakh were taxed before 2014, but his government initially increased the limit to Rs 5 lakh and now to Rs 7 lakh in this year’s Budget. “Those who paid 20 per cent tax during the UPA government pay zero tax today”, he added.

Addressing a gathering at CSMT, the PM stressed on the need for modern infrastructure in the 21st century India. “When you start an infrastructure project, it boosts cement, sand and iron sectors. When the project is complete, it improves connectivity and generates new avenues of employment.”

After reaching Platform 18 of CSMT, the PM inspected the Mumbai-Sainagar Shirdi Vande Bharat train and interacted with the train crew and the children inside the coach.

He said it is a huge day for the Railways, especially for advanced connectivity in Maharashtra, as this is the first time that two Vande Bharat trains have been flagged off on the same day. He said these trains will connect economic centres such as Mumbai and Pune to centres of faith, thereby benefiting those traveling for college, office, business, pilgrimage and agricultural purposes.

Travelling to sacred places like Shirdi, Nasik, Trimbakeshwar and Panchvati will be made easier with the new Vande Bharat trains, which will give a boost to tourism as well as pilgrimage, he said. “The pilgrimages of Pandharpur, Solapur, Akkalkot and Tuljapur will also be made more accessible with the Mumbai-Solapur Vande Bharat Express… The Mumbai to Sainagri Shirdi Vande Bharat Express will help people to go to Shirdhi, Trambikeshwar and Panchwati at Nashik.”

“Vande Bharat trains are a reflection of India’s speed and scale,” he added.

The PM noted that the budgetary allocation for railway projects was higher for Mumbai and Maharashtra this year and this has been appreciated by both Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis.

The PM, who inaugurated multiple projects, said, “The improved connectivity between eastern and western suburbs will help in ease of travel and save time.”