Bharat Gaurav train evokes huge response from pilgrims: SCR

HYDERABAD: The second Bharat Gaurav tourist train between the two Telugu States of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh commenced its journey from Secunderabad Station on Wednesday.

There has been huge response for both first and second trips with 100 per cent occupancy. With the support received by the pilgrim passengers of both Telugu States, another three trips have been announced which commence their journey on different dates of this summer season - April and May 2023 with the same itinerary.

Named as “Punya Kshetra Yatra / Ganga Pushkaralu Yatra : Puri – Kasi - Ayodhya", the train is being operated by Indian Railways Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC).

The 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 eight nights and nine days duration.

The train consists of both AC and Non-AC class coaches so as to meet the demands of rail passengers.

While the second trip has commenced on Tuesday, the third trip of the train will start on April 29, fourth trip on May 13 and fifth trip will start on May 27, 2023. With the huge interest building up from the passengers for this unique initiative, pilgrim passengers from all the nine 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 second, third, and fourth trips and for the fifth trip, all seats in two tier AC have been booked and around 50 per cent of the seats have been booked in three tier AC and second sleeper coaches with the remaining seats being filled up fast.

Arun Kumar Jain, General Manager, SCR, expressed satisfaction with regard to the awesome response received for Bharat Gaurav Tourist Train. He stated the train offered 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 could be organised by owning or taking lease the railway coaches.