New Delhi, India: The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi flagged off Vande Bharat Express and Bharat Gaurav Kashi Darshan Train at KSR Railway Station, Bengaluru today (Nov 11).
The Prime Minister arrived at the flag-off area on Platform no. 7 of Kranthiveera Sangolli Rayanna (KSR) Railway Station and gave the green signal to Chennai-Mysuru Vande Bharat Express. This will be the fifth Vande Bharat Express train in the country and the first such train in South India. It will enhance connectivity between the industrial hub of Chennai, the Tech & Startup hub of Bengaluru, and the famous tourist city of Mysuru.
In a tweet, the Prime Minister said;
“The Chennai-Mysuru Vande Bharat Express will boost connectivity as well as commercial activities. It will also enhance ‘Ease of Living.’ Glad to have flagged off this train from Bengaluru.”
This was followed by the Prime Minister arriving at the flag-off area on Platform no. 8 and giving the green signal to the Bharat Gaurav Kashi Yatra train. Karnataka is the first state to take up this train under the Bharat Gaurav scheme in which the Government of Karnataka and the Ministry of Railways are working together to send pilgrims from Karnataka to Kashi. The pilgrims will be provided comfortable stay and guidance for visiting Kashi, Ayodhya, and Prayagraj.
The Prime Minister tweeted;
“I would like to compliment Karnataka for being the first state to take up the Bharat Gaurav Kashi Yatra train. This train brings Kashi and Karnataka closer. Pilgrims and tourists will be able to visit Kashi, Ayodhya, and Prayagraj with ease.”
Timings of Mysuru- Chennai Vande Bharat Express
The fare of Train No.20607 MGR Chennai Central Station to Mysuru is Rs. 1200 for Chair Car and Rs. 2295 for Executive Class. The fare of Train No.20608 Mysuru to MGR Chennai Central Station is Rs. 1365 for Chair Car and Rs. 2485 for Executive Class.
No concession and Child fare shall be admissible in the above Vande Bharat Express trains. Only full-fare adult tickets shall be issued. Other terms and conditions for booking, cancellation, refund, etc. shall be as per Shatabdi trains.
Features of Vande Bharat Express
It is a world-class train with modern facilities. Some of the salient features of this train are:
1. Equipped with the KAVACH (Train Collision Avoidance System) for enhanced safety in operations.
2. Improved safety with four emergency Windows in every coach. There are four platform side
cameras including rearview cameras outside the coach.
3. Better fire safety measures with Aerosol based fire detection and Suppression system in all
electrical cubicles and toilets.
4. Superior floodproofing for under-slung electrical equipment to withstand floods up to 650 mm
in height. The train will also have four emergency lights in every coach in case of electric failure.
5. Enhanced riding comfort for passengers at 3.5 riding indexes. It is also equipped with 32 inch LCD
TVs and passenger information and communication system in the train.
6. Side recliner seat facility is made available for all classes. The Executive Coaches have the added
feature of 180-degree rotating seats.
7. Bio vacuum toilets with touch-free amenities and Wi-Fi content on demand.
8. Finer heat ventilation and air conditioning control through higher efficiency compressor, with Ultra
Violet (UV) lamp for the germ-free supply of air.
9. The train’s time to reach 160 kmph is just 140 seconds. There will be driver-guard communication
with a voice recording facility.
10. Two signal exchange lights on the coaches for the exchange of signal with the wayside stations.
The Vande Bharat train, which has been manufactured indigenously at Integral Coach Factory, Perambur, Chennai – is a testimony to the capability of Indian engineers and a culmination of the Make in India initiative. It is a big milestone towards realizing the Atmanirbhar Bharat vision of the Hon’ble Prime Minister.
Bengaluru – Varanasi Bharat Gaurav Kashi Darshan
Bharat Gaurav Train from Bengaluru to Kashi has also been started which will offer comfortable and convenient rail travel, boarding, stay, and darshan facilities in an all-inclusive package. This train will also go through Hubballi, Belagavi thereby benefiting not only the devotees of Bengaluru but also those from North Karnataka who wish to travel to Kashi. This train will go through Prayagraj and Ayodhya also.
A Coach of Bharat Gaurav Kashi Darshan train
The cost of the trip is Rs. 20,000 of which Rs. 5000 is provided as a subsidy by the State govt. The first train journey will carry around 600 pilgrims; apart from Kashi, the pilgrims would also visit Ayodhya and Prayagraj.
The objective is to run the Bharat Gaurav train is to showcase India’s rich cultural heritage and magnificent historical places to the people of India and the world, through Bharat Gaurav Trains (Theme- based Tourist Circuit trains).
Brief Scope of Policy
1. Indian Railways aims to leverage the core strengths of the professionals of the tourism sector to
run theme-based trains to tap the vast tourism potential of India.
2. Under this policy, registered Service Providers shall be offered rakes consisting of ICF coaches
under the “Right to Use” model by Indian Railways (IR) for operations of Bharat Gaurav Trains. Service
Providers shall also have the option of procurement of new coaches directly from production units
through the NRC (Non-Railway Customer) plan.
3. The Service Provider shall have the flexibility to decide the business model including themes,
routes, itinerary, tariff, and other attributes connected with this model