PM Modi Flags Off Puri-Howrah Vande Bharat Express

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday flagged off Odisha's first Vande Bharat Express via video conferencing.

The Puri-Howrah Vande Bharat Express will be West Bengal's second Vande Bharat Express, following the successful introduction of the Howrah-New Jalpaiguri route.

The new semi-high-speed express train, capable of running at the top speed of 180 kmph, will cover the distance of 500 km between Howrah and Puri, the abode of Lord Jagannath, in less than seven hours.

The indigenously manufactured Puri-Howrah Vande Bharat Express will depart Howrah at 6.10 am and reach Puri at 12.35 pm. Again the train will depart Puri at 1.50 pm and arrive at Howrah at 8.30 pm.

The present fastest train on the same route, Shatabdi Express, takes 07. 35 hours. The new Vande Bharat Express will be faster by an hour than the present fastest train on the same route.

The Howrah Puri Vande Bharat express train will cost around Rs 1,395 for a single journey in AC Chair Car class and Rs 2,515 for Exec. Chair Car (EC).

Puri, known as the abode of Lord Jagannath attracts a huge number of tourists from Bengal, particularly Kolkata and its surrounding areas.

The semi-high-speed express will provide a faster, more comfortable, and more convenient travel experience to rail users. It is also expected to boost tourism and promote economic development in the region.