Gorakhpur (UP), July 7 (UNI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday flagged off Vande Bharat Express, a semi-high-speed train, between Gorakhpur to Lucknow via Ayodhya and laid the foundation stone for the redevelopment project of Gorakhpur railway station.

He also inaugurated the Jodhpur-Ahmedabad (Sabarmati) Vande Bharat Express from the ceremony organised at Gorakhpur Railway Station.

PM Modi reached Gorakhpur railway station after attending the closing ceremony of the centenary year of Geeta Press. located in Gorakhpur. After reaching the state he visited a coach of Vande Bharat and inspected the facilities available in the train.

He also interacted with the children sitting in the coach and wished the crew members.

After observing the model of Gorakhpur railway station redevelopment project kept on platform number one, the PM laid the foundation stone of this project by pressing the remote button. After this, he virtually inaugurated the Jodhpur-Ahmedabad Vande Bharat.

He flagged off the Gorakhpur-Lucknow Vande Bharat Express in the presence of Governor Anandiben Patel and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. MP Ravi Kishan Shukla, Chairman Railway Board Anil Lohta and General Manager of North Eastern Railway Chandraveer Raman were present on the occasion.

The operation of Vande Bharat Express from Gorakhpur to Lucknow via Ayodhya will not only felicitate people, but will also give a boost to tourism. This train will also be helpful in increasing the pace of cultural, industrial and economic development.

Vande Bharat Express will be the fastest train running between Gorakhpur to Lucknow and it will save about two hours of travel time on both the distances. Due to the state-of-the-art facilities, Vande Bharat's journey will make you feel like traveling in an aeroplane.

The Gorakhpur Junction Railway Station Redevelopment Project will develop the station as a city centre. Along with state-of-the-art, the station will also be representative of local heritage symbols. Glimpses of Gorakhnath Temple and Geeta Press will also be seen in the new station building.

A provision has been made for a multi functional complex. The redevelopment project will also have a rooftop plaza with state-of-the-art facilities, food outlets, waiting rooms, ATMs and a playing area for children at the station. It will be constructed in the concept of a modern green building and water treatment plant; solid waste management will also be arranged in it.