On Saturday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw virtually flagged off the Vande Bharat Express, a semi-high speed train, from Meerut City railway station to Lucknow. The event was marked by the enthusiasm of school children waving Indian flags and chanting slogans of 'Bharat Mata Ki Jai'. The...
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train's inauguration was a gift from the Indian government to Meerut. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath also participated in the event virtually from Lucknow. The train's departure was attended by various officials, including the General Manager of North Railway, DRM Delhi Division, several Members of Parliament, and local politicians. On its inaugural day, 200 students from four Meerut schools were given free travel on the train from Meerut to Hapur. The students were then transported back to Meerut by bus. Some students also traveled to Moradabad. The railway authorities provided certificates to the students. Free travel passes were also given to other Meerut residents.