In a significant announcement on Sunday, Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw unveiled the Indian government’s ambitious plan to transform Guwahati, along with 59 other railway stations in Northeast India, into state-of-the-art facilities. This announcement preceded the much-anticipated inauguration of the region’s first Vande Bharat Express train, which will operate between New Jalpaiguri Station in West Bengal and Guwahati in Assam.
During a press conference, Ashwini Vaishnaw expressed his vision for the development of railways in the Northeastern region. He stressed the government’s objective of elevating the Guwahati Railway Station to international standards and extending this transformation to 59 additional stations across the Northeast.
These ambitious projects, estimated to be valued at approximately ₹70,000 crore, are expected to drive growth and connectivity in the region, according to reports.
Additionally, the Union Minister disclosed an allocation of ₹11,000 crore for development projects in the Northeast, reaffirming the government’s commitment to enhancing infrastructure and connectivity in the region.
The inaugural run of the Vande Bharat Express, connecting Guwahati and New Jalpaiguri, will be inaugurated on Monday via video conferencing by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The event will be attended by Union Minister for Railways Ashwini Vaishnaw and Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.
Identified by its train numbers Up-22227 and Down-22228, the Vande Bharat Express will operate six days a week, covering a distance of approximately 410 kilometers in just six hours.
With its faster speed, the Vande Bharat Express is set to significantly reduce travel time between New Jalpaiguri and Guwahati, providing improved transportation options for passengers in the region.
