Railways to introduce Jagannath Express before next Rath Yatra

Indian Railways will introduce Jagannath Express under the Bharat Gaurav train project before the next Rath Yatra, Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said here on Saturday.Briefing the mediapersons here, Vaishnaw said Prime Minister Narendra Modi has a vision to showcase India’s rich cultural heritage and magnificent historical places to the people of India and the world through railways.Accordingly, Ramayan Express was first launched under the Bharat Gaurav Trains (theme-based tourist circuit trains), he said.Now, Jagannath Express will be launched under the project to promote the rich Jagannath culture, food and language.Design of the train and Jagannath circuit has been finalised. The service will be launched just before the next Rath Yatra, the minister said.Vaishnaw also said that his ministry is also going to launch Vande Bharat Express train service in Odisha soon.Commenting on the introduction of metro train service in Odisha, he said: “It can be done after getting a complete proposal from the state government. Till now, no proposal has been received from Odisha.”He further informed that the Modi government has allocated Rs. 5,600 crores to digitally connect about 7,600 unconnected villages in Odisha.