Union Surface Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari, State Energy Minister Chandrashekar Bawankule, Rajya Sabha Member Avinash Pande, Mayor Pravin Datke flagged off the Nagpur-Reeva Express on February 11, 2015 at around 3:00 pm.
The flagging off was simultaneously done in sync with Cabinet Minister of Railways Suresh Prabhakar Prabhu flagging off five new trains by remote control at a function here on February 11, 2015. The Minister of State for Railways Manoj Sinha was also present on the occasion. Board Members and senior railway officials were also present on the occasion.
These trains are;
i) 11081/11082 Lokmanya Tilak (T) – Gorakhopur Express (Weekly),
ii) 22809/22810 Paradeep-Visakhapatnam Express (Weekly),
iii) 15031/15032 Ramnagar-Chandigarh Express (Weekly),
iv) 22655/22656 Thiruvanthapuram-Nizamuddin Express (Weekly) and
v) 11207/11208 Nagpur-Rewa Express (Weekly).
All these trains are part of the Budget announcements.
While addressing the media, Cabinet Minister of Railways Suresh Prabhakar Prabhu said that a new tradition of fulfilling the promises made during elections is certainly a welcome move. These trains were demanded by many passengers for last many years, which have finally been fulfilled. He claimed that he hopes that the passengers are happy with the train service.
He went to say that Trains (Railways) alone have the capacity and ability to ferry large number of passengers from one place to another at a reasonable cost. Trains alone provide facility for even a poor person to reach their destinations.
However, he added that the Railway Board is striving to better its services in all spheres. In order to provide all the basic amenities during the travel, many railway employees have to undergo many problems and struggles. These employees and staff shall continue to strive to better the services and to provide a safe, secure and comfortable travel for the passengers.
Cabinet Surface Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari while addressing the media personnel said that he is happy that the Railways have decided to start five new trains including the 11207/11208 Nagpur-Rewa Express. He claimed that since many residents of Nagpur city are native of Madhya Pradesh and need a cheap and safe means of transport to their native place. They have been demanding this train for a long time. The starting of their train to Reeva is also a fulfillment of their promise which they (Nitin Gadkari) in their election manifesto.