PM Modi: Vande Bharat Trains Linking Holy Sites Symbolize Blend of Culture and Development
PM flags off four new Vande Bharat Express trains says spiritual tourism is boosting Uttar Pradesh’s economy and empowering local communities
Varanasi (UP), Nov 8 — Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said that the expanding Vande Bharat Express network connecting India’s major pilgrimage sites is a symbol of how the nation’s culture, faith, and development are coming together.
Speaking after flagging off four new Vande Bharat Express trains from the Banaras railway station, PM Modi said pilgrimage in India has, for centuries, served as a medium of national consciousness and cultural unity.
“Pilgrimage is not merely a journey of faith but a sacred tradition that connects India’s soul. Countless pilgrimage sites like Prayagraj, Ayodhya, Haridwar, Chitrakoot, and Kurukshetra represent our spiritual stream,” he said.
Highlighting the significance of the new trains, Modi said the Vande Bharat network is helping integrate India’s cultural heritage with its developmental progress. “This is an important step toward transforming heritage cities into symbols of the nation’s modern growth,” he added.
The Prime Minister noted that spiritual tourism has emerged as a key economic driver in Uttar Pradesh, creating opportunities for various sectors. “In the last 11 years, development work in the state has elevated spiritual tourism to new heights. Last year, over 11 crore devotees visited Kashi, while more than six crore pilgrims visited Ayodhya after the Ram Temple’s construction. These visits have contributed thousands of crores of rupees to the state’s economy,” he said.
He further mentioned that religious tourism has boosted income for local communities, including hotels, shopkeepers, transporters, artisans, and boatmen. “Young entrepreneurs in Varanasi are launching new ventures in transportation, Banarasi sarees, and hospitality, opening doors of prosperity for Uttar Pradesh and Kashi,” he noted.
Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath were also present at the event.
The four new Vande Bharat Express trains inaugurated will operate on the Banaras–Khajuraho, Lucknow–Saharanpur, Firozpur–Delhi, and Ernakulam–Bengaluru routes. According to the government, these semi-high-speed trains will cut travel time, improve connectivity, promote tourism, and boost regional economic activity.
