Bengaluru: On Sunday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated three Vande Bharat Express trains and the yellow line of Namma Metro in Bengaluru.

While Modi personally flagged off the highly anticipated Bengaluru–Belagavi Vande Bharat Express, the services from Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra to Amritsar and from Ajni (Nagpur) to Pune were launched virtually.

Officials stated that these trains will greatly improve regional connectivity, shorten travel times, and offer passengers a “world-class” travel experience. Present at the event were Karnataka Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, and Union Minister for Railways Ashwini Vaishnaw, among others.

A large crowd gathered along the road to welcome the Prime Minister with chants of “Modi, Modi” as his convoy approached the railway station. Modi acknowledged the crowd by waving from his car.

The Bengaluru–Belagavi Vande Bharat Express marks the 11th Vande Bharat service in Karnataka. It covers a distance of 611 km in just 8.5 hours, making it the fastest train between these two cities, reducing travel time by approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes from KSR Bengaluru to Belagavi and 1 hour and 40 minutes for the return journey, according to Railway officials.

This train links Bengaluru, known as India’s Silicon City, with Belagavi, which is a center for top medical and engineering institutions, thereby promoting economic and educational growth, officials noted.

The route runs through Karnataka’s fertile sugarcane region, passing through significant cities such as Dharwad, famous for its esteemed educational institutions; Hubballi, a bustling commercial and industrial hub; Haveri, an up-and-coming agricultural center; Davangere, known for textiles and agriculture; and Tumakuru, a developing industrial and educational hub.

This improved connectivity will provide advantages to students, professionals, farmers, and traders by enabling quicker access to Bengaluru’s extensive opportunities, while fostering economic development and cultural exchanges throughout the region, as stated by the Railways in a release.

Following the inauguration, a special inaugural train (Train No. 06575) will operate from KSR Bengaluru to Belagavi, leaving at 11:15 AM and arriving in Belagavi at 8:00 PM the same day, with stops at Yesvantpur, Tumakuru, Davangere, SMM Haveri, SSS Hubballi, and Dharwad, according to the announcement.

PM Modi Inaugurates Yellow Line Of Bangalore Metro Rail
The Prime Minister has inaugurated the highly anticipated “Yellow Line” of the Bangalore Metro Rail, which is projected to alleviate traffic congestion in several heavily trafficked corridors linking the city’s IT hub. He also took a metro ride from RV Road (Ragigudda) to the Electronic City metro station, engaging with students during the trip.

The over 19-km stretch from RV Road to Bommasandra of the Bangalore Metro Phase-2 project, valued at approximately Rs 7,160 crore, includes 16 stations, as reported by officials. With the launch of the yellow line, the operational metro rail network in Bengaluru will expand to over 96 km, catering to a significant population in the area.

Officials have indicated that the new service is anticipated to reduce traffic congestion in several heavily congested corridors such as Hosur Road, Silk Board Junction, and Electronics City Junction. Deputy CM and Minister in charge of Bengaluru development, D K Shivakumar, recently mentioned that “3 train sets” have arrived for the yellow line, with a fourth expected this month, stating that three trains will currently operate at 25-minute intervals.

The frequency is set to be increased to 10 minutes in the future. A large crowd gathered on both sides of the road welcomed the Prime Minister with chants of “Modi, Modi” and showered petals despite the rain as his convoy traveled from KSR Bengaluru (city) railway station to the Ragigudda station.

Modi also acknowledged them by waving from within his vehicle. Present at the scene were Karnataka Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Union Minister of Housing and Urban Affairs Manohar Lal Khattar, Union Minister of State Shobha Karandlaje, Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar, and several others.