Pune, November 27: The Rampath Yatra Express, which connects Pune, Maharashtra to Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh, was flagged off on Saturday, with an aim to promote pilgrimage tourism after the success of the Ramayana Express.
This new special train will tour 6 pilgrim destinations which are associated with Lord Ram. These include Nandigram, Shringverpur, Varanasi, Prayagraj, Chitrakoot and Ayodhya, said IRCTC group general manager (West) Rahul Himalian. He added, “The full-circuit Ramayana Yatra adds Hampi, Nashik and Rameshwaram.”
The train will have both AC class and sleeper coaches, said IRCTC. The full package of it costs Rs. 14,490. This including breakfast, lunch, dinner, stay, transport, and a guide.
“The launch of this train is aimed at promoting pilgrimage tourism, covering pilgrim sites in a tour of seven days and eight nights. It'll run with sleeper class and AC-3 tier,” said the divisional railway manager (DRM) of Pune division Renu Sharma.
It also recently resumed its catering service, serving hot cooked food on train journeys as Covid-19 cases dropped significantly in India. The announcement came just a few days after the Union civil aviation ministry announced resumption of meals on the domestic flights.