Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday (November 8, 2025) flagged off four new Vande Bharat trains. He said that infrastructure development is the driving force behind the economic growth of developed nations and that India is rapidly advancing on the same path.
The Prime Minister was speaking at the Banaras railway station in Varanasi, his Lok Sabha constituency, after flagging off four new Vande Bharat Express trains. The new semi-high-speed services will operate on the Banaras–Khajuraho, Lucknow–Saharanpur, Firozpur–Delhi, and Ernakulam–Bengaluru routes.
“In developed countries across the world, the biggest reason for economic growth has been infrastructure. In every nation that has achieved major progress, the driving force behind it has been infrastructure development,” Modi said.
He explained that infrastructure is not just about constructing bridges and highways, but about creating systems that drive holistic regional development.
India fast-tracking on infrastructure and connectivity
“Today, with so many Vande Bharat trains running and international flights connecting India to the world, these developments are directly linked to our nation’s growth. Trains like Vande Bharat, Namo Bharat, and Amrit Bharat are laying the foundation of a new generation of Indian Railways,” the Prime Minister said.
He noted that pilgrimage sites have emerged as strong economic centres and praised the development work undertaken in Uttar Pradesh over the past 11 years, which he said has elevated these spiritual destinations to new heights.
“Devotees visiting pilgrimage sites in Uttar Pradesh have contributed thousands of crores of rupees to the state’s economy. The government’s goal is to make visiting and staying in Varanasi a special experience for everyone,” he added.
Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath were present at the event.
Boost to mobility and tourism
According to an official statement, the new Vande Bharat Express trains will significantly reduce travel time, enhance regional connectivity, and promote tourism and economic activity. The Banaras–Khajuraho Vande Bharat will link major cultural and religious hubs such as Varanasi, Prayagraj, and Chitrakoot, strengthening both spiritual and economic ties across the region.
