Modi inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for rail and road projects worth ₹32.5 billion in Malda, aimed at strengthening connectivity and accelerating development across West Bengal and the Northeast.
Calling the launch of the Vande Bharat sleeper trains another major milestone in the modernisation of Indian Railways, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said their introduction will make long journeys more enjoyable for passengers.
Flagging off the country’s first Vande Bharat sleeper train between Howrah and Guwahati at the Malda Town Railway Station in West Bengal on Saturday, Modi said, “These new Vande Bharat Sleeper trains will make the long journeys of our countrymen more comfortable, grand, and memorable. What should the trains of a Viksit Bharat (developed India) look like? It is clearly visible in this Vande Bharat sleeper train.”
He mentioned that during his interaction with passengers at the Malda station, he was told that travelling in this train was an extraordinary experience. He recalled that earlier, people used to look at pictures of foreign trains and wish such trains existed in India, with that dream now being realised.
He stated that he had noticed foreigners making videos of India’s metros and trains to tell the world about the revolution taking place in the country’s railway sector.
“This Vande Bharat train is ‘Made in India’; the sweat of us Indians has gone into making it. This first Vande Bharat sleeper train of the country connects the land of Maa Kali with the land of Maa Kamakhya. In the coming times, this modern train will be expanded across the entire country.”
Modi remarked that Indian Railways is transforming, with the electrification of railway lines and modernisation of stations. He highlighted that more than 150 Vande Bharat trains are already running across the country. He said that along with modernisation, the Railways was also becoming increasingly aatmanirbhar (self‑reliant).
“India’s rail engines, rail coaches, and metro coaches are becoming the identity of India’s technology. Today, we are manufacturing more locomotives than America and Europe. We export passenger trains and metro train coaches to many countries around the world.”
Modi also inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for multiple rail and road infrastructure projects worth ₹32.5 billion in the Malda district, aimed at strengthening connectivity and accelerating development in West Bengal and the Northeastern region.