India’s first private train, aimed at promoting domestic tourism, under the Bharat Gaurav scheme has been flagged off from Coimbatore. The train will make stops at Tiruppur, Erode, Salem, Yelahanka, Dharmavaram, Mantralayam Road, and Wadi before ending its journey in the holy town of Shirdi in Maharashtra. The train has 20 coaches including 1st, 2nd, and 3rd class AC and sleeper coaches.
First ever Bharat Gaurav Train has been flagged off on Coimbatore North to Sainagar Shirdi route today at 6:00 PM! The train will cover several historical destinations on the route while giving the passengers an insight into the cultural heritage of the country. pic.twitter.com/IR55aYzyN0
— Ministry of Tourism (@tourismgoi) June 14, 2022
B Guganesan, the Chief Public Relations Officer of Southern Railway, told news agencies “Railway has leased this train to a service provider for a period of 2 years. The service provider has refurbished the coach seats. At least three trips will be done per month. It has a total of 20 coaches including 1st, 2nd & 3rd class AC coaches and sleeper coaches.”
— Ministry of Railways (@RailMinIndia) June 14, 2022
The country’s first train under the Bharat Gaurav scheme announced by the ministry of railways was flagged off from Coimbatore North railway station Tuesday evening. The train is operated on the Coimbatore North–Sainagar Shirdi tourist circuit. The luxurious service on board the train includes high-quality vegetarian meals, a snack trolley, devotional magazines, bedtime kit. Sources said there would be an in-house doctor on the train. Special assistance will be provided to elders and the disabled to board the train. During the onward journey from Coimbatore, this Bharat Gaurav train has a stoppage at Mantralayam Road station for five hours to facilitate darshan at Mantralayam temple. South Star Rail is the registered service provider that operates this Bharat Gaurav train from Coimbatore to Shirdi.
On Tuesday, as the first batch of passengers boarded the train, they were welcomed with a presentation of India’s traditional dances at the railway station. The photographs and videos of the train’s inaugural run are going viral on social media.
The First Bharat Gaurav Train!
— Ministry of Railways (@RailMinIndia) June 14, 2022
Catch a glimpse of the grand welcome for a memorable journey to the country's rich cultural heritage, an experience of a lifetime. pic.twitter.com/OKIwOfQ1e5
According to a release by Indian Railways, the train, which, under the scheme, will be operated by a private operator – South Star Rail in this case – will depart from Coimbatore North every Tuesday at 6 pm and reach Shirdi at 7:25 am on Thursdays. On its return journey, it will leave Shirdi at 7:25 am every Friday and reach Coimbatore North at 12noon on Saturdays.
The theme-based ‘Bharat Gaurav’ trains were announced in November last year. The objective of the themes is to showcase India’s rich cultural heritage, as well as historical places, to the people of India and the world.
