The Indian Railways will operate 315 special trains to and from Puri during the Rath Yatra festival, ensuring smooth travel and convenience for pilgrims from July 6 to July 19. Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced this initiative during a meeting with Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Majhi and Deputy Chief Ministers KV Singh Deo and Pravati Parida in New Delhi. This year’s allocation of special trains marks a significant increase from the previous year.
The special train services aim to accommodate pilgrims from various regions across the state, facilitating their journey to Puri to participate in the Rath Yatra festivities and pay homage to the holy trinity on the chariots. In addition to the increased train services, arrangements are being made to provide accommodation for 15,000 devotees arriving in Puri for the festival. Minister Vaishnaw highlighted the Railways’ commitment to enhancing passenger amenities and facilities during the Rath Yatra period. He directed the East Coast Railway (ECoR) to ensure better convenience and benefits for the pilgrims and devotees this year compared to last year.
Special trains for the Gundicha Yatra will depart from several locations, including Badampahar, Rourkela, Balasore, Sonepur, Daspalla, Junagarh Road, Sambalpur, Keonjhar, Paradip, Bhadrak, Angul, Gunupur, and Bangiriposi. Additional special trains will also be available for Sandhya Darshan, Bahuda Yatra, Adharapana, and Suna Besha, as per ECoR officials. ECoR will provide reserved class accommodations in certain long-distance special trains to enhance passenger comfort during the festival. The General Manager of ECoR, Parmeshwar Funkwal, inspected the Rath Yatra arrangements at Puri railway station on Friday. He assessed the facilities for the pilgrims and instructed officials to ensure that all preparations are completed well ahead of the Rath Yatra schedule.
The Rath Yatra festival is a significant event in the cultural and religious calendar. It draws millions of devotees from within the state and beyond. The Railways have taken proactive steps to operate special trains and enhance facilities, demonstrating their dedication to ensuring a smooth and enriching pilgrimage experience for all participants.
