3 Trains from (WR)WARDHA JN to (AKP)ANAKAPALLE

·The train connects important and renowned pilgrim places in North India like Mata Vaishno Devi Temple, Haridwar and Rishikesh

 Â·Operated by IRCTC, 50% of the seats have already been booked

‘Bharat Gaurav’ trains concept introduced by Ministry of Railways has been a huge success over South Central Railway and 100% occupancy is registered in the recent five trips run by IRCTC towards Kashi & surrounding places. o­n the back of the enthusiastic response shown by the rail passengers, the Indian Railways Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) has planned new tourist circuit as part of Bharat Gaurav trains covering other renowned and important pilgrim destinations across North India.

As part of it, IRCTC has announced a new tourist package namely “Mata Vaishno Devi, Haridwar and Rishikesh”, Bharat Gaurav Tourist Train starting from Secunderabad Railway Station. The train will cover important pilgrim and historical places in Northern parts of the country, while providing boarding / de-boarding facility at seven important enroute stations in Telangana and Maharashtra. Within a few days of announcing the new tourist train towards Mata Vaishno Devi Temple, more than 50% of the seats have been booked depicting the interest of the people towards pilgrimage to North India.

Going into the details of the package, the Tourist circuit train “Mata Vaishnodevi with Haridwar & Rishikesh” will provide boarding / de-boarding facility at Secunderabad, Kazipet, Peddapalli, Ramagundam and Sirpur Khagaznagar in Telangana as well as Balharshah, Wardha and Nagpur in Maharashtra. The train will cover important places like Katra, Agra, Mathura, Vrindavan, Katra, Haridwar and Rishikesh. The individual tourists who wish to travel from Katra station to the Vaishno Devi temple by either pony / doli / helicopter service, need to book o­n their own. IRCTC will guide the tourists in this aspect and the ample time is provided in the itinerary to return back conveniently after Darshan.

The whole trip will be covered over a period of 8 nights / 9 days period. The package is all inclusive of travel facilities (including both rail as well as road transport), accommodation facility, Catering arrangements tour escorts, Security,Public announcement facility, Travel insurance etc.

For more details o­ne can visit IRCTC website: http://www.irctctourism.com with Booking Link: https://www.irctctourism.com/pacakage_description?packageCode=SCZBG05and can also approach o­n phone numbers of Secunderabad office : 9701360701, 8287932228, 9110712752

Shri G. Kishan Reddy, Hon’ble Minister of Culture, Tourism and Development of North Eastern Region, Government of India flagged off Train No. 12862 Mahbubnagar – Visakhapatnam Express from Mahbubnagar Railway station today i.e., 20^thMay, 2023 in the august presence of Shri V. Srinivas Goud, Hon’ble Minister for Excise, Prohibition, Sports & Youth Services and Archaeology, Govt. of Telangana; Shri M. Srinivas Reddy, Hon’ble MP, Mahbubnagar; Smt. Swarna Sudhakar Reddy, Hon’ble Chairperson, Zilla Parishad, Mahbubnagar; Shri K.C Narsimlu, Hon’ble Muncipal Chairman, Mahbubnagar; Shri Sharat Chandrayan, Divisional Railway Manager and other Senior Railway officials and public representatives.

 Speaking o­n the occasion, Shri G. Kishan Reddy stated that the new Mahbubnagar – Visakhapatnam Express will connect the people of Palamuru region directly with Kacheguda and beyond including important cities like Kazipet, Warangal, Vijayawada, Eluru etc., He stated that Railway connectivity is very important for the development of any region. He stated that the rail developments in Telangana region has been progressing at a fast pace in the recent years in terms of rail infrastructure, electrification, provision of passenger amenities. Towards improving connectivity, the centre has undertaken doubling of Secunderabad and Mahbubnagar with a cost of Rs. 1400 crore, he said. We will continue to work hard and put all efforts for the all-round development of Telangana region, he added.

 Shri G. Kishan Reddy informed that Mahbubnagar Railway station has been equipped with free Wi-Fi facility. Further, the Hon’ble Union Minister stated that the Secunderabad Railway station is being redeveloped with a cost of Rs. 720 crores and the works are progressing swiftly. The Railway station is being upgraded with modern facilities and amenities o­n par with airports to meet the needs of the passengers, he said. He also informed that Charlapalli Satellite terminal is being developed, which will provide enhanced transport facility to the passengers in Hyderabad and Secunderabad.

 The extension of Train No. 12861/12862 Visakhapatnam – Kacheguda – Visakhapatnam Express up to Mahbubnagar will be highly beneficial for the people of the region who will now be able to travel directly to Warangal, Khammam, Rayanapadu (Vijayawada), Eluru, Rajahmundry, Annavaram, Visakhapatnam etc. The train provides comfortable night travel facility from both Mahbubnagar and Visakhapatnam allowing the passengers to reach their destinations conveniently in the morning hours. The train also caters to both reserved and unreserved segment of people with composition of AC 2 tier, AC 3 tier, Sleeper Class and General Coaches.

 Stoppages and timings of Train No. 12862/12861 Mahbubnagar – Visakhapatnam – Mahbubnagar Express are as detailed below: