Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee Research Foundation

PM’s address at flagging off eight trains facilitating seamless rail connectivity to Statue of Unity

  • This is probably the first time in the history of the Railways that so many trains have been flagged off from different corners of the country to one place.
  • After all, Kevadiya is such a place. It is identified by the world’s tallest statue, the Statue of Unity, of Sardar Patel who gave the country the mantra of ‘Ek Bharat, Shrestha Bharat’, who unified the country, and the Sardar Sarovar Dam.
  • Today’s event truly signifies India as one and defines both the vision of Indian Railways and the mission of Sardar Vallabh bhai Patel.
  • I am happy that there are so many public representatives from different states present in this programme. I express my gratitude to all of you.
  • One of the trains destined for Kevadiya is also coming from Puratchi Thalaivar Dr. M.G. Ramachandran Central Railway station.
  • It is also a pleasant coincidence that today is also the birth anniversary of Bharat Ratna MGR.
  • MGR ruled the hearts of the people, from film screens to political screens. His life and his entire political journey was devoted to the poor.
  • He worked continuously to ensure a dignified life for the poor. Today, we are making all efforts to fulfill these ideals of Bharat Ratna MGR.
  • A few years ago, the country renamed the Chennai Central Railway Station in his honour. I salute Bharat Ratna MGR and pay homage to him.
  • Friends, Today, it is a wonderful and proud moment for the entire country that Kevadiya will have direct rail connectivity from every direction of the country.
  • A short while ago, Kevadiya Express from Varanasi, Rewa, Dadar and Delhiapart from Chennai and JanShatabdi Express from Ahmedabad have left for Kevadiya. Similarly, MEMU service has also started between Kevadiya and Pratapnagar.
  • The widening of the Dabhoi-Chandod railway line and the new railway line between Chandod and Kevadiya is now going to write a new chapter in the development journey of Kevadiya.
  • And today, when I am associated with this railway programme, some old memories are also getting refreshed.
  • Very few people would know that a narrow-gauge train used to run between Baroda and Dabhoi.
  • I often had the opportunity to travel in it. At one point of time, I had a very special attraction towards Mother Narmada and I would come here often.
  • I used to spend a few moments of life on the lap of Mother Narmada and at that time we used to travel in this narrow-gauge train.
  • And the fun of this narrow-gauge train was that its speed was so slow that you could hop and get off easily.
  • And sometimes, if you walked along with it, it appeared as if your speed was more than the train. I also used to enjoy it but today it is converting into broad-gauge.

 

https://www.pmindia.gov.in/en/news_updates/pms-address-at-flagging-off-eight-trains-facilitating-seamless-rail-connectivity-to-statue-of-unity/?comment=disable