Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to inaugurate the latest addition to Uttar Pradesh's railway network with the launch of the Vande Bharat Express train connecting Meerut and Lucknow on August 31. The virtual inauguration of this medium-distance superfast train marks a significant enhancement in the state's rail services.

The Meerut-Lucknow Vande Bharat Express, which will be the 11th in UP, will commence its inaugural journey from Meerut City at 6:35 A.M., arriving in Lucknow around 1:45 P.M. The journey, spanning approximately seven hours, includes brief five-minute halts at Moradabad and Bareilly junctions, covering two prominent cities en route.

Meerut, strategically located near Delhi-NCR and recognized as a hub for commercial activities, has been a focal point in the Centre's infrastructural initiatives. The addition of the Vande Bharat Express is expected to further boost the region’s connectivity, complementing the recently established rapid rail corridor between Meerut and Ghaziabad, which has already received positive feedback from local businesses.

The introduction of this new train service expands UP’s existing Vande Bharat fleet, which already includes ten operational routes such as Patna-Gomtinagar, Varanasi-Delhi, Varanasi-Ranchi, Lucknow-Dehradun, and others. The Vande Bharat trains, known for their indigenously developed technology and passenger-friendly amenities, have significantly upgraded the travel experience across India. 

In addition to the Meerut-Lucknow route, Prime Minister Modi will also inaugurate two more Vande Bharat Express trains on August 31: one connecting Chennai to Nagercoil and another linking Bengaluru with Madurai.

With the Vande Bharat fleet surpassing 50 trains nationwide, plans are underway to introduce sleeper versions and metro models of these trains, continuing the ongoing revolution in Indian railway travel. These modern, state-of-the-art trains have redefined speed, comfort, and convenience for passengers, making significant strides in India’s railway infrastructure development.