Hyderabad: The Second Bharat Gaurav Tourist Train from the two Telugu states of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh commenced its journey from Secunderabad Railway Station on Tuesday.
There has been a huge response for both first and second trips with 100 per cent occupancy.
With the support received by the pilgrim passengers of both the Telugu states, another 3 trips have been announced which commence their journey on different dates of this summer season in April and May 2023 with the same itinerary, a South Central Railway (SCR) release said.
Named as “Punya Kshetra Yatra / Ganga Pushkaralu Yatra : Puri – Kasi – Ayodhya”, the train is being operated by Indian Railways Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC).
IRCTC is providing end-to-end services for the pilgrim tourist passengers travelling by the train. It includes all travel facilities (including both rail as well as road transport), accommodation facility, catering arrangements (Morning Tea, Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner – both On-Board and Off-Board), Services of professional and friendly tour escorts, Security on train (including CCTV Cameras installed in all Coaches), Public announcement facility in all coaches, Travel insurance and presence of IRCTC Tour Managers throughout the travel for assistance.
The tour involves visiting important and historical places in Puri, Konark, Gaya, Varanasi, Ayodhya and Prayagraj over a period of 8 nights / 9 days duration.
The train comprises both AC and Non-AC Class coaches so as to meet the demands of rail passengers.
While the 3rd trip of this train will start on April 29, 4th trip on May 13 and 5th trip will start on May 23, the release said.
With the huge interest built up from the passengers for this unique initiative, pilgrim passengers from all the 9 stopping stations (including Secunderabad) spread across the two Telugu states have come forward to avail the opportunity.
All the seats have been booked for all the classes for the 2nd , 3rd and 4th trips and for the 5 th trip, all seats in 2 tier AC have been booked and around 50 per cent of the seats have been booked in 3 tier AC and II sleeper coaches with the remaining seats being filled up fast.
SCR General Manager Arun Kumar Jain stated that the train offers a unique opportunity to pilgrim passengers to visit culturally prominent places without the hassle of planning individual itinerary items.
He also appealed to the Tourist operators to utilise the scheme of “Bharat Gaurav Tourist Train” concept through which theme based tours can be organised by owning or taking lease the railway coaches.
