Reiterating that the mantra of ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas’ is helping turn the vision of a developed India into reality, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday indicated that the country’s first bullet train will start running on tracks in the near future.

Launching multiple railway projects for Jammu and Kashmir, Odisha and Telangana, Modi in his virtual address said, “In 2014, we started work with the dream of modernizing Indian Railways. The facilities of Vande Bharat trains, Amrit Bharat and Namo Bharat Rail are now becoming the new benchmark of Indian Railways. Today’s Aspirational India aspires to achieve a lot in a short time.”

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The Prime Minister said today people want to complete even long distance journeys in less time. In such a situation, the demand for high speed trains is increasing in every part of the country, he said.

“Today Vande Bharat trains are running on more than 50 routes. 136 Vande Bharat services are making people’s journey pleasant. Just two-three days ago I was watching a video, how the new sleeper version of Vande Bharat is running at a speed of 180 kilometers per hour in its trial run, and seeing this, not only me but any Indian will feel good. Such experiences are just the beginning, the time is not far when the first bullet train will also run in India,” Modi said.

The Prime Minister inaugurated and laid the foundation stone of various railway projects, via video conferencing. Modi inaugurated the new Jammu Railway Division. He also laid the foundation stone of Rayagada Railway Division Building of East Coast Railway and inaugurated the Charlapalli New Terminal Station in Telangana.

In his virtual address, Modi said the launch of rail infrastructure projects in Jammu and Kashmir, Odisha and Telangana will promote tourism and add to socio-economic development in these regions.

“Today, the country is engaged in achieving the resolve of Viksit Bharat and for this, the development of Indian Railways is very important,” PM Modi said.

“We are taking forward the development of railways in India on four parameters. First- modernization of railway infrastructure, Second- Modern facilities for railway passengers, Third- Railway connectivity in every corner of the country, Fourth- Railways for creating jobs, supporting industries,” he said.

“Today India is close to 100 percent electrification of railway lines, We have also continuously expanded the reach of railways,” the Prime Minister said.

He said Jammu and Kashmir is achieving new milestones in railway infrastructure, with the Udhampur – Srinagar -Baramulla rail line, which is being discussed all over the country today.

The Prime Minister said the completion of the Chenab Bridge, the world’s highest railway arch bridge, will play a key role in connecting the region with the rest of India providing convenience to the people of Leh-Ladakh.

Modi said the Anji Khad Bridge, which is the country’s first cable-based railway bridge, is also part of this project. He said Chenab Bridge and the Anji Khad Bridge are unparalleled examples of engineering leading to economic progress in the region and promoting prosperity.

Lauding India’s fast-paced progress in connectivity, Modi said since the start of 2025, India has been accelerating its initiatives with its metro rail network expanding to over 1000 kilometers. He mentioned the recent inauguration of Namo Bharat train in Delhi-NCR along with the launch of Delhi Metro projects on Sunday.

The Prime Minister added that today’s event is a further testimony to the fact that the entire nation is moving forward together, step by step, as projects launched in Jammu and Kashmir, Odisha and Telangana mark a major leap in modern connectivity for these the north, east and south regions of the country.

Modi highlighted that Odisha is blessed with abundant natural resources and a large coastline, and holds significant potential for international trade.

He said several railway projects worth over Rs 70,000 crore are ongoing in the state, along with the establishment of seven Gati Shakti cargo terminals, which are boosting trade and industry. Modi said today, the foundation stone has been laid for the Rayagada Railway Division in Odisha, which will strengthen the state’s railway infrastructure promoting tourism, business, and employment in Odisha specially South Odisha, where the number of tribal families is higher.

Virtually inaugurating the Charlapalli New Terminal Station in Telangana, the Prime Minister highlighted its potential to accelerate regional development by connecting to the Outer Ring Road. “This station, connected to the Outer Ring Road, will significantly boost development in the region,” he said.