The needs of 21st century India won't be fulfilled with the ways of the 20th century, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, stressing the need for reforms in the railways, as he inaugurated multiple development projects in Gujarat, including the redeveloped Gandhinagar railway station.
The PM Modi also inaugurated the newly-built five-star hotel atop the redeveloped Gandhinagar railway station and later inaugurated three new attractions at the Science City in Ahmedabad. During the virtual event, Modi also flagged the off Gandhinagar-Varanasi weekly superfast train and Gandhinagar-Varetha train.
He also inaugurated the redeveloped Vadnagar railway station. The PM said that many memories were associated with Vadnagar station. “Today, Vadnagar is also associated with the railway expansion work. Many memories are associated with Vadnagar station. It looks very attractive now,” the PM commented on the railway station of his hometown, where he once helped his father, who had a tea stall there, to sell tea.
“We have worked to develop the railways not only as a service but as an asset, the result of which can be seen today,” Modi said, adding that there is a need to develop the railways vertically as much as there is a need to spread its reach horizontally. Stating that he was eager to visit Gujarat at the earliest opportunity to view the projects he inaugurated virtually, the PM said that better public spaces are a necessity. “Earlier, urban planners considered quality public spaces to be a luxury, and people in our cities were denied quality public spaces. Nobody can forget the condition of the Sabarmati river earlier. Today, it has a riverfront, parks, a seaplane and many other amenities attached to it,” he remarked.
The PM also inaugurated the Aquatics and Robotics Gallery and Nature Park in Gujarat Science City via video conferencing. Speaking on the occasion, the PM said, “Science City project is a mix of recreation and creativity. The aquatics gallery is even more interesting. The sight of marine biodiversity from all over the world in one place is a wonderful experience in itself.”
Functions held at railway stations
To ensure greater participation in the events, the state government had directed holding of parallel events at all stations through which the Gandhinagar Capital -Varanasi and Gandhinagar Capital–Varetha trains were to pass. At the Ahmedabad station, minister of state for home, Pradipsinh Jadeja, was present on Platform-1. A programme was held even as the train was flagged off from Gandhinagar. The parallel events were organized at Anand, Chhayapuri, and Godhra from where the Ahmedabad-Varanasi train was to pass.
Two new trains from Gandhinagar
The Western Railway will be introducing new superfast train services between Gandhinagar and Varanasi stations and Memu services between Gandhinagar and Varetha stations. The Gandhinagar Capital–Varanasi Superfast Special Express will leave Gandhinagar every Thursday at 11.15 pm to reach Varanasi at 11.30 pm the next day. The Varanasi–Gandhinagar Capital Superfast Special Express will leave Varanasi every Wednesday at 3.15 pm to reach Gandhinagar at 3.20 pm the next day. The train will halt at Ahmedabad, Anand, Chhayapuri, Godhra, Ratlam, Ujjain, Bina, Jhansi, and Prayagraj stations in both directions. The Gandhinagar Capital–Varetha Unreserved Memu will leave Gandhinagar every day except Saturday at 6.00 pm to reach Varetha at 9.25 pm. The Varetha–Gandhinagar Capital will leave Varetha every day except Sunday at 6.40 am to reach Gandhinagar Capital at 10am.
