This story is from January 18, 2021

First train to world’s tallest statue chugs on high note

The scenes at Pratapnagar railway station on Sunday resembed high-spirited mela (fair) as the first train to Kevadiya was flagged off.
First train to world’s tallest statue chugs on high note
Artistes perform garba at the railway platform on Sunday
VADODARA/ KEVADIYA: The scenes at Pratapnagar railway station on Sunday resembed high-spirited mela (fair) as the first train to Kevadiya was flagged off.
The memu train started moving on the tracks as Prime Minister Narendra Modi virtually flagged as many as eight trains connecting Kevadiya, the home to Statue of Unity (SoU) in Narmada district.
Garbas, folk dances, tricolor balloons and tunes of police band welcomed around 600 specially invited guests enroute all the railway stations that were decorated with marigold flowers and bouquets like the newly started train that had December 2020 made brightly illuminated coaches from Integral Coach Factory, Chennai.

It was a completely different experience for train guard SN Dabhi who has taken part in inaugural runs of five trains in his career.
Pratapnagar station itself witnessed the arrival of politicians, MP, MLAs, educationists, members of Baroda's royal family, sports personalities, artists and members of different communities among others. Most of them spent time clicking selfies and photos with the train in the backdrop.
The speed of the train which was tested at 120 km per hour during speed trials was a pleasant surprise. "You cannot think of reaching Dabhoi within 10 minutes from Vadodara," said businessman Naresh Sindhi.

At the newly constructed railway stations of Dabhoi, Chandod and Kevadiya too, passengers received a warm welcome of drum beats and dholaks.
'Narmade, Har, Har' chanted the saints as the train reached Chandod, famous for being home to triveni sangam of the revered Narmada, Gupt Saraswati and Orsang. "The new trains will also improve connectivity to Chandod where thousands gather on ghats to perform post death rituals of the dead at the sangam," said Anil Bhatt, a priest in Chandod.
From Chandod to Kevadiya, the section which has witnessed construction of new railway line, the open coaches got filled with dust that is yet to settle from the terrain where railways had carried out work in war foot to meet the deadline.
Onlookers settled on the sides of the tracks too waived to the passengers who finally reached Kevadiya which by then had already witnessed tourists flocking to enjoy their weekend getting a glimpse of the SoU nestled in the picturesque backdrop of Vindhyas and Satpuras mountain ranges.
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About the Author
Prashant Rupera

Prashant Rupera is special correspondent at The Times of India, Vadodara and reports on politics, business, heritage, and education. He has been regularly reporting on the dairy sector in Gujarat which pioneered the White Revolution in the country. His interests include reading, watching movies and spending time with family and friends.

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