Jaipur, May 21 (IANS) Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw will inaugurate and announce several major railway projects during his one-day visit to Jodhpur and Jalore on Friday, bringing significant infrastructure and connectivity benefits to western Rajasthan.
The visit will include the expansion of the Jodhpur–Delhi Cantt Vande Bharat Express, the launch of a new train service, and announcements related to railway modernisation projects.
According to Jodhpur Divisional Railway Manager (DRM) Anurag Tripathi, the Railway Minister will arrive in Jodhpur by air on Friday morning.
Union Culture and Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat will also join the main programme at Jodhpur Railway Station.
One of the biggest highlights of the visit will be the flagging off of the Jodhpur–Delhi Cantt Vande Bharat Express with a new 20-coach configuration.
At present, the train operates with only eight coaches, resulting in heavy waiting lists and high passenger demand.
Railway officials estimate that the expansion will significantly reduce waiting for thousands of passengers every month and improve travel convenience on the busy route.
During the programme, the Railway Minister will also flag off the extension of Train No. 20486/20485 Sabarmati–Jodhpur Superfast Express up to Jaisalmer.
The extension is expected to improve rail connectivity between Gujarat and western Rajasthan while boosting tourism and regional development, particularly in Jaisalmer and surrounding areas.
In another major announcement, the Railways is expected to unveil the Phase-2 development of the Vande Bharat sleeper train depot at Bhagat Ki Kothi.
Additionally, plans have been proposed to increase the maximum speed limit on the Jodhpur–Luni–Marwar Junction rail section to 130 kmph, which will help reduce travel time and improve operational efficiency.
Following the Jodhpur programme, Ashwini Vaishnaw will travel to Jalore by special train.
At Jalore Railway Station, he will flag off the new Bhuj–Delhi Express train via the Bhildi–Jalore–Luni–Pali Marwar route, providing passengers from Jalore and nearby regions with direct rail connectivity to Delhi.
–IANS
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