1,000 trains to run from different parts of country to Ayodhya in first 100 days of Ram temple inauguration | India News

NEW DELHI: The Indian Railways plans to run over 1,000 trains from different parts of the country to Ayodhya around the first 100 days of the inauguration of the newly built Ram Mandir, to cater to the demand. The operation of these trains would start from January 19, just days ahead of the grand inauguration ceremony so that pilgrims can come to the holy city and go back.
The temple will be open to the public from January 23, a day after the consecration of Lord Sri Ram’s idol.
Sources said these trains will connect Ayodhya with all regions and different cities, including Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Bangalore, Pune, Kolkata, Nagpur, Lucknow and Jammu. “The number of these proposed trains can be deployed considering the demand. The station at Ayodhya has also been revamped to cater to the high number of footfalls,” said a source. The redeveloped station with the capacity to handle daily footfall of around 50,000 persons is set to be fully ready by January 15.
Sources said some trains are also being booked as chartered service for Ayodhya by pilgrims’ groups as well.
Meanwhile, the railways’ catering and ticketing PSU, IRCTC, is also gearing up to provide catering services for pilgrims round the clock during these 10-15 days when a large number of pilgrims will visit Ayodhya. It will put up several food stalls to meet the demand.
The pilgrims visiting the birth place of Lord Ram will also have a new attraction as they can enjoy a ride in an electric catamaran on the holy Saryu river. The catamaran will have the capacity to accommodate 100 persons.