In response to the huge demand by passengers, once again with the help of the Government of India, “Local For Vocal” and Ministry of Railways, Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC), Regional Office Ahmedabad, offered to run four special tourist trains.
Regional Manager of Ahmedabad Regional Office of IRCTC, Vayunandan Shukla informed that IRCTC is running two Pilgrim Special Tourist trains in February 2021 and two Bharat Darshan trains in March 2021. All these trains will start from Rajkot and will return to Rajkot. They will have facilities of train travel, food (breakfast, lunch, and dinner), bus arrangements for road transport, Dharamshala accommodation and tour escort, a facility of a coach security guard, housekeeping, and announcement.
In addition to that, IRCTC is also organizing four air packages from Ahmedabad – Kerala, North East, Shimla-Manali, Andaman, and two special charter coaches from Rajkot – Hyderabad Ramoji Film City and Kerala Tour. From Mumbai and Ahmedabad for Kevadia tour packages are also being run from Vadodara by IRCTC. The ticket online booking facility is available at www.irctctourism.com and passengers can book from Ahmedabad, Vadodara, Surat, Rajkot offices and also from authorized agents.
Vayunandan Shukla also said that in view of the Covid pandemic in all the tours, passengers will be subjected to thermal screening before starting the journey for safety. Downloading the “Arogya-Setu” app will be ensured. Train coaches and passengers’ luggage will be sanitized. A separate isolation coach facility is also there for any passenger feeling unwell during the tour.
Shukla further said that IRCTC will adopt all security measures to give passengers a pleasant religious journey. He also requested passengers to follow safety guidelines issued by government to help them serve better in their spiritual journey.
The two Tejas trains will start in the month of February. Shukla said both trains will run in full occupancy and more such trains will run soon in different routes connecting India. As far as Pilgrim Special and Bharat Darshan Trains are concerned, LHB coaches are there for Pilgrim trains and soon the Bharat Darshan trains will be equipped with the same coaches. Vistadome coach is attached in Janshatabdi and will be introduced in pilgrim and bharat darshan trains.
Shukla also informed that IRCTC has offered to run a special train Golden Chariot (The Luxury Train) from Bangalore in February and March 2021. This Golden Chariot Train is a five-star train and will take passengers for sightseeing in Karnataka. It includes all arrangements for accommodation, food and travel.
