During 2023, the government operated Bharat Gaurav Trains have undertaken 172 trips carrying 96,491 tourists. As per this latest update by the Ministry of Railways, these trips were operated covering various tourist destinations across the nation, spread in 24 States and Union Territories.
These trains have covered major tourist circuits like Shri Ram-Janaki Yatra: Ayodhya to Janakpur; Shri Jagannath Yatra; “Garvi Gujarat” tour; Ambedkar Circuit; North East tour.
Indian Railways had introduced the concept of operating tourist trains on theme-based circuits under the banner of ‘Bharat Gaurav’ Tourist Trains. These theme-based tourist circuit trains aim to showcase India’s rich cultural heritage and magnificent historical places.
Discussions during the event covered various aspects such as infrastructure, accommodation, tourist amenities, inflow of tourists, sustainability in travel and tourism, responsible tourism, community involvement, and training of service providers for the promotion and marketing of the Mahabharat Circuit.
The journeys undertaken on these trains are offered in the form of comprehensive tour packages wherein services like off-board travel and excursions by buses, stay at hotels, tour guides, meals, travel insurance and more are provided along with comfortable train journeys and allied onboard services, the ministry said. With introduction of these thematic trains under Bharat Gaurav Train scheme, the Ministry of Railways has given a concerted thrust for promotion of domestic tourism through provision of rail-based tourism with better quality coaches.
This is also in line with the Government of India initiatives ‘Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat’ and ‘Dekho Apna Desh’ to encourage domestic tourism.
