Prime Minister Narendra Modi virtually launched the Pravasi Bharatiya Express, a special tourist train designed for the Indian diaspora, on Thursday. The train commenced its three-week journey from Delhi’s Nizamuddin railway station and is set to visit several culturally and religiously significant destinations across the country. The launch took place during the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas convention held in Bhubaneswar, where the Prime Minister flagged off the train.
The Pravasi Bharatiya Express is a state-pf-the-art tourist train which has been designed exclusively for the Indian diaspora aged between 45 and 65 years. This initiative aims to connect the diaspora with their cultural and historical roots.
Pravasi Bharatiya Express: What is the route?
The train will follow the following route: New Delhi – Ayodhya – Patna – Gaya – Varanasi – Mahabalipuram – Rameswaram – Madurai – Kochi – Goa – Ekta Nagar (Kevadia) – Ajmer – Pushkar – Agra. It is worth noting that this train has a capacity to accommodate 156 passengers.
This tour is a collaboration between the Ministry of External Affairs and the Indian Railways Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC). Indian Embassies worldwide invited applications for participation, prioritizing Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs) from low-income groups who might otherwise be unable to afford a trip to India.
According to a statement by the ministry, all expenses for the train tour will be covered by the government. Additionally, 90% of the return airfare for eligible participants from their countries of origin to India will also be borne by the ministry, with travellers only required to pay the remaining 10%. Participants will be accommodated in 4-star or equivalent hotels as outlined in the tour itinerary.
Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw took to social media platform X (formerly Twitter) and shared the news of the train’s launch.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Bhubaneswar on Wednesday, receiving a warm welcome from Odisha Governor Hari Babu Kambhampati, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, and Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan at the airport. The Pravasi Bharatiya Divas event, jointly organised by the Central Government and the Odisha State Government, is scheduled to take place from January 8 to 10.