Eyes on Himachal polls, PM Modi flags off new Vande Bharat Express

Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagged off the new Vande Bharat Express at Una in Himachal Pradesh on Thursday. (Photo provided by Himachal Pradesh government)

He addressed a public meeting at the Indira Gandhi stadium later. (Photo provided by Himachal Pradesh government)

PM Modi said he was always concerned about connectivity in Himachal Pradesh, but the introduction of the Vande Bharat Express train has set a new record for the development of the state. (PTI)

PM Modi also laid the foundation of a Bulk Drug Park and inaugurated the Indian Institute of Information Technology (IIIT)-Una. (Photo provided by Himachal Pradesh government)

The government will invest invest Rs 2,000 crores in the Bulk Drug Park project which will write a new script for the development of the state and end the dependence on other countries for availability of raw materials for production of medicines, PM Modi added. (PTI)

PM Modi was accorded a warm welcome by Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur on his arrival at the Pekhubela helipad in Una. The chief minister listed various "achievements" of the BJP government at the Centre and in the state, and urged people to vote for the party in the upcoming Assembly elections. (Photo provided by Himachal Pradesh government)