KHAMMAM

·26 Yatris board from Khammam o­n this unique Tourist Circuit Train

·Traditional Welcome and festive atmosphere greets the pilgrim passengers

 The first Originating Bharat Gaurav Train started from the two Telugu states witnessed enthusiastic response from rail tourists in and around Khammam. 26 Rail Yatris have boarded the “Punya Kshetra Yatra: Puri – Kasi – Ayodhya” Bharat Gaurav Train from Khammam railway station. The Rail Yatris were greeted with Traditional welcome and the whole station premises reverberated with spiritual fervor.

 The Ministry of Railways has introduced ‘Bharat Gaurav Trains” to showcase India’s rich cultural heritage by connecting important historical, cultural and religious places of the country through Rail. In this regard, Indian Railways Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) has started the “Punya Kshetra Yatra: Puri – Kasi – Ayodhya” today i.e., 18^th March, 2023 from Secunderabad Railway Station. This is the first Originating Bharat Gaurav Train from the two Telugu States of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. This Tourist Circuit Train will take rail passengers to some of India’s most ancient and significant places in Eastern & Northern part of the country.

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 is being operated by Indian Railways Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC). The train comprises of both AC and Non-AC Class coaches so as to meet the demands of rail passengers.

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 train promotestourism in the country by connecting important historical, cultural and religious places in India.

·It is operated by IRCTC and provides boarding / de-boarding facility to passengers in both Telugu States

Ministry of Railways has introduced ‘Bharat Gaurav’ train concept to showcase India’s rich cultural heritage by connecting magnificent places of the country through Rail. Accordingly, the Indian Railways Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) has registered as the first service provider in SCR Zone. The first Bharat Gaurav tourist train service is being started by IRCTC from South Central Railway o­n 18^th March, 2023. This train namely the ‘Punyakshetra Yatra: Puri – Kasi – Ayodhya’ will start from Secunderabad Railway Station with stoppages at important enroute railway stations of both the Telugu states (for boarding/deboarding of passengers).

In this regard, Shri Arun Kumar Jain, General Manager, SCR held a press meet today i.e., 15^th March, 2023 at Rail Nilayam, Secunderabad to highlight the features of this train. Shri P. Uday Kumar Reddy, AGM, SCR, Shri Abhay Kumar Gupta, DRM, Secunderabad, Shri P. Raja Kumar, Group General Manager, IRCTC along with other senior Railway officials also participated in the meeting.

Addressing the gathering, Shri Arun Kumar Jain stated that the “Punyakshetra Yatra: Puri – Kasi – Ayodhya” Bharat Gaurav tour which is being run by IRCTC is a great opportunity for Rail passengers intending to visit several historical and pilgrimage places at o­ne go. He stated that the Punyakshetra Yatra, which is an 8 nights and 9 days tour from 18^thto 26^th March, 2023 will cover the important spiritual destinations such as Puri, Konark, Gaya, Varanasi, Ayodhya and Prayagraj. He said that this tour is sure to provide a diverse and comfortable tourist experience to the passengers. The Passengers can board/ deboard from the nominated stations in both the Telugu states viz., Secunderabad, Kazipet, Khammam, Vijayawada, Rajahmundry, Visakhapatnam and Vizianagaram, he added.

He further stated that this train avoids all the difficulties in individually planning and making all travel related arrangements like suitable trains, accommodation, food etc. This train service comes with an all inclusive package so that the passenger need not worry about all those arrangements as the IRCTC, which have adequate experience in this field, have designed the tour program after taking all the factors into consideration. This provides comfortable, safe and secure travel option.