Nagpur (Maharashtra) [India], August 10 (ANI): Passengers travelling between Nagpur and Pune on Sunday welcomed the start of the new Vande Bharat Express, calling it a long-awaited and convenient mode of transport, especially for families and senior citizens who found bus travel difficult.

They appreciated the train's cleanliness and modern amenities, urging fellow travellers to keep it well-maintained.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi virtually flagged off the Vande Bharat Express from Nagpur (Ajni) to Pune, marking a significant step toward faster and more comfortable rail connectivity in the region.

Speaking to ANI, a passenger said, 'It was a dream that has been fulfilled today. We have got this amazing thing in the form of the Vande Bharat train...It was difficult for children and senior citizens to commute by bus. Now, this train is very convenient for them...'

'This is a good train. All the things are very clean. I will request that everyone keep it clean and help the government grow... All the things are very nice,' said another passengers.

Earlier in the day, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis described the commencement of the Vande Bharat Express between Nagpur and Pune as a 'matter of great joy' for the state.

He said the state had requested the Railway Minister for the service, and the proposal was acted upon by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Speaking to reporters, CM Fadnavis said, 'Today is a matter of great joy for all of us that the Vande Bharat train from Nagpur to Pune has started. We had made a request to the Railway Minister, and he had spoken of taking a positive decision. That decision has been implemented today by the PM. The most important thing is that among all the Vande Bharat trains started so far, this is the longest-distance train. This train will cover a distance of 881 kilometres in 12 hours.'

Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagged off three Vande Bharat Express trains at KSR Railway Station in Karnataka's capital city of Bengaluru.

These included trains from Bengaluru to Belagavi, Amritsar to Sri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra and Nagpur (Ajni) to Pune. The flagging of these new Vande Bharat trains underlines the central government's efforts to rejuvenate Indian railways to provide a world-class travel experience to the people.

PM Modi is also set to inaugurate the Yellow Line of the Bangalore Metro and undertake a metro ride from RV Road (Ragigudda) to Electronic City metro station today.

The Yellow Line from RV Road (Ragigudda) to Bommasandra in Bangalore is part of the Metro Phase-2 project and has a route length of over 19 km with 16 stations.

The project is worth around Rs 7,160 crore. With the opening of this yellow line, the operational metro network in Bengaluru will increase to over 96 km, serving a large population in the region. The Prime Minister will also lay the foundation stone of the Bangalore Metro Phase-3 project worth over Rs 15,610 crore. The total route length of the project will be more than 44 km with 31 elevated stations.

This infrastructure project will address the growing transportation needs of the city, catering to residential, industrial, commercial and educational areas. (ANI)