Jamshedpur, April 19: Railways has decided to up the fare of Bharat Darshan Tourist train which is for pilgrims to visit Shirdi, Tirupati, Jagannath Puri, Gangasagar, Baidyanath Dham and Jyotirlingams among others.
Executive Director (Tourism & Catering), Railway Board, Shaili Srivastav has issued orders to increase the fare of the tourist train. A letter in this regard has been sent to IRCTC chairman and managing director A.K. Manocha which states 20% increase in booking fee in Bharat Darshan train.
This will increase a extra burden of Rs 160 on every passenger. Railway and IRCTC’s new rate will be applicable till 31 March, 2018. The tourist train will continue to offer discounts to senior citizens.
Fare will be applicable on children according to the category. There are chances that four pairs of Bharat Darshan train will run this year.
Jharkhand government in September 2016 signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) for the chief minister�s Mukhyamantri Teerth Darshan Yojana allowing senior citizens belonging to the BPL category to visit religious sites by train at state�s expenses. This allowed people in large number from the state to visit religious sites.
Bharat Darshan tourist train fare for a day per passenger was Rs 830 but the new fare will be Rs 900. In the 10 coach tourist train a tour manager and a doctor will also be present.
