Nagpur: Union Minister of State for Social Justice Ramdas Athawale on Thursday flagged off the maiden run of Samanta Express Tourist Train at Nagpur Railway Station. The train will cover prominent places associated with Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar and Lord Buddha. The train will travel to Chaityabhoomi (Mumbai) – Mhow (Indore) – Bodhgaya (Gaya) – Sarnath (Varanasi) – Lumbini (Nautanwa) – Kushinagar (Gorakhpur) and Deekshabhoomi (Nagpur) in its 10-day journey.
Those present on the occasion include Central Railway’s Divisional Railway Manager Somesh Kumar, MLC Girish Vyas, MLA Dr Milind Mane, Divisional Security Commissioner Jyotikumar Satija and others.
The Indian Railways, in association with IRCTC, had announced the launch of Samanta Express Tourist Train on Mahaparinirvan Day. The special train has been launched to mark the 128th birth anniversary of Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar, the architect of India’s Constitution. Under this initiative, people will get a chance to visit places connected to Dr Ambedkar’s life.
Booking of Samanta Express Tourist Trains is available online on IRCTC website. Booking can also be done through Tourist Facilitation Centers, Zonal Offices and Regional Offices of IRCTC. To travel in the Samanta Express, one has to avail the travel package, which includes all your travel expenses. Passengers will get to travel in sleeper class in the train. They will get vegetarian meal three times a day, including breakfast, lunch and dinner. The railways will arrange for their stay during night time in Dharamshalas. They will get buses for sightseeing. The IRCTC tour manager and tour escorts will guide during sightseeing. The cost for the entire tour package is Rs 11,340 per person. Those availing the package will also get the benefit of travel insurance.
