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IRCTC to launch exclusive train service

In order to further enhance and strengthen Indo- Srilankan people to people contact as a part of Bilateral initiatives between the two countries, through Indian Railways and its public sector tourism arm (IRCTC) planning to launch an exclusive train of 10 carriages for the comfort of pilgrims of Sri Lanka to connect all the prominent Buddhist sites in India.

Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation Ltd (IRCTC) , is a public sector enterprise under the ministry of Railways which provides a wide range of catering, I Hospitality, travel & tourism services. Its vision is to become the leading provider of high quality Travel , Tourism & Hospitality related services in the country.

IRCTC maiden tour from 3.11.2011 to 24.11.2011 for Srilankan pilgrims was successful and proved the concept of a comfortable unit train travel experience to pilgrims. Based on the experience gained and further fine tuning the product, IRCTC is operating a Buddhist tourist train " Dambadiva Vandana" Ex-Chennai exclusively for the Srilankan pilgrims from 09.2.2012 to 28.2.2012. The package tour is for the duration of 19 nights and 20 days mainly to cater to the budget pilgrims covering destinations namely Sanchi, Kausambi , Sarnath , Bodhgaya , Vaishali , Rajgir , Nalanda, Kushinagar , Lumbini(Nepal) , Kapilavastu , Sravasti Sankassa , Agra and Delhi. The pre departure and post arrival services at Chennai will also be coordinated.

The package highlights are

  • Comfortable train journey (Sleeper Class - Non Air-conditioned (NAC)
  • NAC Dormitory / Hall on multiple sharing
  • Road transfers on NAC Coaches ( Long journey in AC Coaches)
  • Catering - (Srilankan & Indian food)
  • Escort - Sinhala speaking guides
  • First Aid & Security on train

This is a unique experience wherein the exclusive train with a capacity of 504 seats will carry only Sri Lankan pilgrims. The tourists will be provides with comfortable sleeping accommodation on the train, Srilankan food, Sinhala speaking escorts , First aid facilities on train , Doctor on call, well experienced tour manger and support team to assist the pilgrims etc. In order to further provide comforts and a sense of oneness during the train journey monks will perform recitals through the public address system (PA) connected in all the train coaches.

The PA system will also be useful for the announcements regarding the train movement , destination and other important travel related information during the tour. The maiden tour was a success mainly due to the active support and cooperation extended by The Indian High Commission at Srilanka, Ministry of Buddhassana & Religious affairs ( Govt. Of Sri Lanka), Association of Buddhist Overseas Pilgrimage tour Operators Of Srilanka , M/s Hemas Travels our GSA and the participating Srilankan pilgrims. Snap shots of the recently completed "Dambadiva Vandana" train tour arc depicted overleaf.For further details - email : dambadivavandanachennai@irctc.com

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