- ‘Divine Maharashtra’ tourist train is all set to start its operations from January 8
- The fully air-conditioned train provides 2 types of accommodation options- First AC & Second AC
- The tour package cost starts at Rs 24,120 per person for domestic tourists
- IRCTC will also provide a safety kit to all tourists
THoD Newsdesk, Maharashtra: A venture of the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC), the ‘Divine Maharashtra’ tourist train is all set to start its operations from January 8. This all-new deluxe train will cover the prominent religious and heritage tourist destinations in central India.
IRCTC spokesperson, Siddharth Singh in a statement said, “IRCTC, a Railway Ministry PSU, will start the state of art AC Deluxe Tourist Train “Divine Maharashtra” tour from Delhi Safdarjung Railway Station on January 8.” He further said that the five-day journey of Divine Maharashtra will commence on January 8 from Delhi and end on January 12.
“The Divine Maharashtra tour will cover the prominent religious and heritage tourist destinations in central India. This tour will showcase two important Jyotirlingas i.e. Trimbakeshwar Shiva Temple in Maharashtra’s Nasik and Ghrishneshwar in Aurangabad, Shirdi Sai and Shani temples and UNESCO World heritage site Ellora caves in four nights and five days tour,” Singh stated. He further mentioned that this tourist train comes with a host of features including two fine-dine restaurants, a modern kitchen, shower cubicles in coaches, sensor-based washroom functions and a foot massager, amidst others.
The fully air-conditioned train provides two types of accommodation options- First AC and Second AC and along with it, Divine Maharashtra has top-notch security features in the form of CCTV cameras and other arrangements. IRCTC has also deployed private security guards on the train, he said. Reportedly, the train has been designed in line with the Government’s initiative “Dekho Apna Desh” to promote domestic tourism, especially during such a time when the tourism sector is almost tanking.
The tour package cost starts at Rs 24,120 per person for domestic tourists and all the required health precautions will be undertaken throughout the course of the tour. The IRCTC spokesperson also mentioned that the package cost is inclusive of train fare, all onboard and off-board meals, hotel stay/ arrangements at Shirdi (two nights), guided excursions with English-speaking tour escorts in air-conditioned buses, monument entry fee and travel insurance for the passengers. Moreover, government or PSU employees can avail LTC facility on this tour as per their eligibility based on the guidelines issued by the Ministry of Finance.
“Beside this, IRCTC will also provide a safety kit to all tourists having face mask, hand gloves, sanitizer and also a face shield. Regular temperature check of all tourists and staff, frequent train sanitization at halt stations etc and other precautions will be ensured,” the IRCTC official said. As per claims, the staff will be screened thoroughly and the kitchen and restaurants will be sanitized after every meal.
Further, keeping in sight the ongoing pandemic, the seat bookings of this train has been restricted to around 120 tourists per trip against the total capacity of 156 tourists.
