Secunderabad-Vijayawada Vande Bharat Express likely from new year

Hyderabad: The new generation Vande Bharat train is likely to be launched between Secunderabad Railway Station here and Vijayawada in neighbouring Andhra Pradesh from the new year.

This will be the first such indigenously-built semi high-speed rail in South Central Railway (SCR) and second such train in south India.

The first Vande Bharat in south India was launched between Chennai and Mysuru last month.

The Railway Ministry has given approval for Vande Bharat train on Secunderabad-Vijayawada route.

Union Minister for Tourism, Culture and Development of Northeast Region, G. Kishan Reddy, who represents Secunderabad Lok Sabha constituency, is keen to invite Prime Minister Narendra Modi for launching the new service.

However, the date for the same will be finalised after the railway authorities complete track upgradation.