Hyderabad/IBNS/UNI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagged off Secunderabad-Visakhapatnam Vande Bharat Express train virtually from New Delhi on Sunday.

This is the first Vande Bharat Train Service between the Telugu states of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh and the eighth Vande Bharat Express on Indian Railways.

The inaugural train departed at 1030 hours.

The regular train service will start from Monday and booking of tickets for regular train service has commenced from Saturday.

Speaking on the occasion, PM Modi said: "Vande Bharat Express is an emblem of strength for India, which aims for everything great, wants to fly high, aspires for everything best, and wants to serve the people with the top-most facilities."

He said: "Today, there are Vista Dome coaches for promotion of tourism, Kisan Rail for helping farmers, freight corridors to strengthen logistics, Metro trains in over 2 dozen cities for ease of lives of people."

"This series of 'Gati' and 'Pragati' will last as it is! With such faith, I extend my best wishes and congratulate the states of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana for getting this new Vande Bharat Express Train," he added.

Union Minister of Railways Ashwini Vaishnav, Union Tourism Minister G. Kishan Reddy, Railway Board Chairman & CEO, Railway Board Anil Kumar Lahoti SCR General Manager Arun Kumar Jain along with senior officials participated in the inaugural function of the Vande Bharat Express train held at Secunderabad Railway Station here.