Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Badal on Monday impressed upon the Union Railways Minister Suresh Prabhakar Prabhu to run 10 special trains from Punjab connecting prominent pilgrimage sites of India thereby fulfilling the aspirations of its people to visit holy and sacred places situated in the country.
On Sukhbir’s proposal, Railways Minister has indicated that Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation limited (IRCTC) could run these trains within four-six weeks.
Sukhbir, during the meeting, apprised the Union Minister that the founder of Sikhism, Guru Nanak Dev, and other gurus or saints have also travelled across the country and sites like Patna Sahib, Nanded Sahib, New Delhi etc, are closely associated with them.
“It is the wish of all Sikhs and Punjabis to visit these holy places at least once in a lifetime. Punjabis, who follows other religions or sects, also aspires to pay their obeisance at their sacred places like Varanasi, Ajmer, Bidar, Pushkar, etc,” he added.
Sukhbir put forth the proposal of Punjab to run 10 special trains from different parts of State to facilitate its people to pay their obeisance at these holy and sacred sites.
Prabhu assured him that the State Tourism Department, in collaboration with IRCTC, could run such special trains from Amritsar, Ferozepur, Gurdaspur and Chandigarh to holy places like Patna Sahib, Nanded Sahib, Varanashi, Pushkar and Ajmer.
Union Minister informed that costs per person per day for such journeys would be approximately Rs2,100 which would include cost of trip, food, night stay at hotels and last mile connectivity to religious sites from railway stations through buses or taxis.
Sukhbir also offered that last mile connectivity to these starting stations from all districts headquarters could also be provided.
He also proposed to make this facility free of costs for its pilgrims with total expected costs of Rs100 crores. He requested the Union Minister to grant minimum of 50 percent subsidy in the proposed venture which has been envisaged for the welfare of its citizens especially the elderly people.