Prime Minister Narendra Modi Sunday flagged off six Vande Bharat trains and laid the foundation stone of Railway Projects worth Rs 660 crore through video conferencing in Jharkhand. Modi was scheduled to arrive at Tatanagar railway station in Jamshedpur for flagging off the train, but due to incessant rain, he participated in the program through video conferencing. However later he addressed a public meeting in Jamshedpur. The six new vande bharat trains, that will originate from different parts of Jharkhand, are Tatanagar – Patna, Bhagalpur - Dumka - Howrah, Brahmapur - Tatanagar, Gaya - Howrah, Deoghar – Varanasi and Rourkela - Howrah. These newly premium trains have been flagged off at a time when Jharkhand is heading towards the assembly elections. The political turmoil intensified after former Chief Minister and ruling Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM)'s one of the most senior leaders Champai Soren joined BJP, citing that he was insulted in the party. The posters and banners installed on the roadside, which led to PM's program venue, bore pictures of Soren along with other state BJP leaders. He was also present on the stage along with Modi for a public rally. "When I reached Ranchi in the morning, the weather had turned very bad. The helicopter could not fly, so I came to Jamshedpur by road. Jharkhand has got 6 Vande Bharat trains today in the festive atmosphere of Karma Parv. The biggest benefit will go to the middle class and entrepreneurs. Youth will get employment,"said Modi. He further said, "I had come to seek your blessings in the Lok Sabha elections also. There was entire opposition on one side, there was a lot of conspiracy, but your blessings outweighed them all. The relationship between Jharkhand and BJP is not just about elections, it is a relationship between belonging and heart. Jharkhand has three big enemies – JMM, RJD and Congress." “Nation’s priorities are its poor, tribals, dalits, deprived, women, youth and farmers”, said Modi, adding that today every city and every state wants a Vande Bharat train to boost connectivity. Modi said that a large number of pilgrims who visit Kashi will now get a chance to visit Baba Baidyanath in Deoghar with the introduction of Varanasi-Deoghar Vande Bharat. He said that it would boost tourism in the region and also encourage the industrial development of Tatanagar, thereby creating new employment opportunities for the youth. “Modern railway infrastructure is imperative to fast paced development”, said Modi. Modi laid the foundation stone for Madhupur Bye pass line in Deoghar district and Hazaribag Town Coaching Depot in Hazaribag district of Jharkhand. After completion, Madhupur Bypass line will facilitate in avoiding detention of trains on Howrah-Delhi mainline and is expected to help in reducing travel time between Giridih and Jasidih. Modi said that Hazaribagh Town Coaching Depot in Hazaribagh district which will help in facilitating the maintenance of coaching stocks at this station. He said the doubling of Kurkura-Kanaroan line will boost rail connectivity in Jharkhand and strengthen connectivity to the steel industries.
