Prime Minister Narendra Modi today (13 October) flagged off the Amb Andaura-New Delhi Vande Bharat Express from Una in Himachal Pradesh.

It is a proud moment for all of us, said Railway Minister Aswhini Vaishnaw after the launch of the train.

"The PM has said that all corners would be connected with Vande Bharat and we are working for it, '' the Railway Minister added.

The fourth Vande Bharat Express is the second version of the indigenously built semi-high-speed train.

Barring Friday, the 16-coach train would be plying for six days in a week.

With the indigenous technology, the Vande Bharat train is a perfect example of Atma Nirbhar Bharat.

According to the railways, these trains are more convenient, comfortable and faster for the inter-city travel.

This is a major achievement of the railways in terms of superior design, interiors and speed standards which will provide a pleasant travel experience to the passengers.

The New Delhi-bound Vande Bharat Express would cover the journey in 5 hours 15 minutes from Una as against 6 hours 40 minutes in the Jan Shatabdi Express plying between these two destinations.

The New Delhi-Una Vande Bharat Express would cover Chandigarh, Ambala and two more stations in Himachal Pradesh providing faster service in the region.

While the first Vande Bharat train was flagged off by Prime Minister Modi in February 2019 and pressed into service for Varanasi from the capital, the second rake is operational between New Delhi and Katra.

The third Vande Bharat is currently running successfully in Mumbai-Gandhinagar sector.

The 16-coach semi-high-speed train is equipped with improved amenities as compared to the earlier version of Vande Bharat train.

The state Chief Minister Jairam Thakur, Information and Broadcasting Minister Anurag Singh Thakur, Railway Board Chairman V K Tripathy and Northern Railway General Manager Asutosh Gangal among others were present at the launch.