Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagged off the new and upgraded Vande Bharat Express and the first phase at Gandhinagar station today. PM also inaugurated the first phase of the ambitious Ahmedabad metro project.<br />''<br />''Addressing a huge gathering at AES ground, PM said the 21st century India is going to get new momentum from the cities of the country. He said it is high time to redevelop our cities as per the changing demand and time.<br />''<br />''PM added that along with the focus on improving and expanding old cities, new cities are also being built according to the global business demand. He also said the government is focussing on building the network of twin cities.<br />''<br />''PM called this a historic day for the urban development of aspiring self-reliant India.<br />''<br />''Reaffirming the commitment of his government toward poor and middle-class people, PM said the government has started FAME scheme to manufacture and operate electric buses in the country. He said so far more than 7 thousand electric buses have been approved in the country under this scheme.<br />''<br />''Union Minister of housing and urban affairs Hardeep Singh Puri said a metro rail network of 810 kilometers has been completed in the country whereas 982 kilometers of metro line is under operation.<br />''<br />''Union minister of railways Ashwini Vaishnaw, and minister of state for railway Darshana Jardosh were present on the occasion.<br />''<br />''This Indigenous Semi High-Speed train will operate between Gandhinagar- Mumbai Central.<br />''<br />''The Prime minister also traveled on the train from Gandhinagar to Kalupur Railway Station. From there, he took a metro ride from Kalupur station to Doordarshan Kendra metro station.<br />''<br />''Phase-I of Ahmedabad Metro project which consists of 21 kilometers East-West corridor and 19 Kilometres North-South corridor has been completed at the cost of nearly 12,000 crore rupees.<br />''<br />''AIR correspondent reports that the East-west Metro will commence operations for people two days after inauguration while the operation of North-south corridor will begin from 6th October.<br />''<br />''In the evening, Mr Modi will lay the foundation stone and dedicate various projects worth over seven thousand 200 crore rupees in Ambaji. He will perform Darshan and Pooja at Ambaji Temple and will attend Maha Aarti at Gabbar Tirtha. Prime Minister will also launch 'CM Gau vansh poshan yojana' from Ambaji.<br />