The first ‘Bharat Gaurav’ Express Train in direction of Kashi (Varanasi), Gaya, Ayodhya and different pilgrimage locations set to depart from Secunderabad Railway Station, on Saturday.
| Photo Credit: G RAMAKRISHNA
A lady in all smiles set to board the categorical train.
| Photo Credit:
G RAMAKRISHNA
If the primary ‘Bharat Gaurav’ Express in direction of Kashi (Varanasi), Gaya, Ayodhya and different pilgrimage locations has acquired an overwhelming response from the passengers for its maiden journey which started on the weekend, it’s only as a result of the route has all the time been in style although the rail companies are restricted.
It could also be startling to grasp there is just one common train to Varanasi. The Danapur Express (2791) from Secunderabad begins at 9.25 a.m., reaches Prayagraj at 10 a.m. the subsequent day and Varanasi at 1.30 p.m. The remaining vacation spot of Danapur (about 9 km from Patna) in Bihar by 6 p.m. after a two-day journey.
It’s a every day train however the demand is such that it’s booked three months upfront inside the 120 days notified for buying tickets for the reserved coaches! “It is the only train for people of both Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. In fact, people from A.P. come to Secunderabad to board the train,” level out senior railway officers within the know.
While the plain attraction to go to Kasi-Varanasi has all the time been there due to the non secular sentiments and well-known temples, the current infrastructure enhancements just like the Kashi hall taken up after Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been elected from the world has apparently perked up the curiosity.
“Post-COVID-19, citizens, including the elderly, are eager to visit the pilgrim places. With the Ganga ‘pushkarams’ next month, the rush towards Varanasi is going to be more. Pilgrims don’t mind the 12-hour journey to Prayagraj (Allahabad) and the 16-hour journey to Varanasi,” they clarify.
Incidentally, it is usually the one train for the migrant labour from Bihar and different northern States, making it choc-a-bloc all year long. “Most migrant special trains which ran during the peak pandemic by South Central Railway (SCR) was through this route and they come in groups for work. We run special trains most months in a year to meet the demand,” stated railway officers.
This month, 44 particular trains are going in direction of Gorakhpur, Jalna, Raxaul, Chhapra, Patna, and Danapur for locations in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar whereas 28 specials had been run in February. More particular trains are on the anvil for the Ganga ‘Pushkarams’, they stated.
The SCR has been receiving a number of representations from public representatives and the residents searching for extra train companies for pilgrims and migrant labour through the years however declare to be helpless due to clogged strains en-route and vacation spot stations unable to just accept extra trains from down south.
“There is saturation on the route after Balharshah up to which the third line commissioning was done. Our trains have to cross three to four railway zones. There are already numerous trains from the north and west towards Varanasi and unless the railway infrastructure is in place, there is little chance of introducing another train towards Kashi,” they added.
Meanwhile, the second pilgrim particular in direction of Kasi-Varanasi additionally touching Konark, Gaya and different locations is scheduled for April 18 and people who missed the primary train are stated to be making enquiries for the second. Officials count on it to be full.
