As the consecration ceremony of Ram Mandir in Ayodhya approaches, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has announced the operation of four special trains from Punjab to facilitate the pilgrimage, with over 1.5 lakh individuals already expressing their interest through local BJP units.
State General Secretary Anil Sarin shared that the demand is expected to rise, especially with over 10,000 people approaching the Ludhiana unit alone. Two trains will depart from Pathankot, and one each from Nangal Dam and Chandigarh. Additional trains may be added to accommodate the increasing number of pilgrims.
While the official notification of train schedules and stoppages is pending from the Railways, Sarin assured that each train, accommodating 1,100-1,200 passengers, will charge pilgrims in the range of Rs 1,000-1,500, covering travel, boarding, and lodging responsibilities.
Sources disclosed that a significant portion of the per-head charges will go towards railway fare, while the remainder will fund food and accommodations arranged by BJP units in Punjab and Uttar Pradesh. Local BJP units are currently compiling lists of pilgrims for the special trains.
Union Minister for Commerce and Industries, Somparkash, announced the schedule for the first train from Pathankot on February 9-12 and the second from Nangal Dam on February 12-14. The Chandigarh train will run from February 19-22, and the second from Pathankot from February 23-26.
Sarin emphasized the significant enthusiasm for the pilgrimage, urging devotees to approach local BJP offices to secure a spot on the special trains. While private vehicles and air travel are options, he indicated that, at present, special trains remain the popular mode of transportation due to the long distance from Punjab to Ayodhya.
