(a) whether the Railways plans to launch a special tourist train on the Ramayana circuit covering the places associated with the Hindu Epic, Ramayana;
(b) if so, the details thereof and the time by when the train is likely to be launched;
(c) whether the people/tourists on board will have the option to go to Sri Lanka as a part of this Ramayana circuit; and
(d) if so, the details thereof along with the name of stoppages of the train and its fares?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS
(SHRI RAJEN GOHAIN)
(a) to (d): Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) has planned two Ramayana Circuit trains namely “Shri Ramayana Express” and “Ramayana Yatra” originating from Delhi on 14.11.2018 (15 Nights / 16 Days) and from Kochuveli on 28.08.2018 (11 Nights / 12 Days) respectively. The train itineraries are (i) Delhi Safdarjung – Ayodhya – Sitamarhi – Varanasi – Allahabad – Chitrakoot – Nasik Road – Hospete – Rameshwaram – Madurai – Chennai - Delhi Safdarjung (package cost D15,120/- having sleeper class only) and (ii) Kochuveli – Nasik Road – Chitrakoot – Allahabad – Varanasi – Darbhanga – Sitamarhi – Ayodhya – Rameshwaram – Madurai (package cost ranging between D39,350/- to D60,750/- having AC coaches only). Passengers of “Shri Ramayana Express” may opt flight tour of 3 Night / 4 Days to Sri Lanka from Chennai with additional package cost of D36,200/- onwards per person.
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