Narendra Modi to flag off 'Maha Kaal Express' from Varanasi

Once launched, 'Maha Kaal Express' will be India's first overnight private train. It connects three Jyotirling pilgrim centres of Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh, and Ujjain and Omkareshwar in Madhya Pradesh.

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit his Lok Sabha constituency of Varanasi on Sunday, where he would inaugurate over 30 projects. He will also flag off IRCTC's 'Maha Kaal Express' through a video link on February 16.

Maha Kaal Express is the third private train in the railways network and will run on the Varanasi-Indore route from February 20.

The first overnight private train in the country will connect three Jyotirling pilgrim centres of Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh, and Ujjain and Omkareshwar in Madhya Pradesh. The IRCTC will also offer tour packages covering religious sites on the train's route, according to a statement issued by the railway PSU.

"Being the first long-distance overnight journey train, IRCTC has geared up to provided a host of facilities and services to passengers, including high-quality vegetarian food, onboard bedrolls and housekeeping services and onboard security services."

"Besides, every passenger travelling on the train will be covered with a complimentary travel insurance of Rs 10 lakhs during the journey," the IRCTC said.

On the lines of the Tejas trains of the IRCTC, booking for the Kashi Mahakal Express can be done only on the IRCTC website and its mobile app 'Irctc Rail Connect'. The train will have an advance reservation period of 120 days and only general and foreign tourist quota.

PM Modi will also dedicate to the nation the Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya Memorial Centre and unveil a 63-feet tall statue of the RSS ideologue.

Later, the prime minister would attend a public function, where he would dedicate over 30 projects to the nation. These include a 430-bed super-speciality government hospital at Banaras Hindu University and a 74-bed psychiatry hospital, also at the university.

Modi would inaugurate a two-day 'Kashi Ek Roop Anek' event at Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya Hastakala Sankul showcasing products from all over Uttar Pradesh. He would also interact with buyers and artisans coming from countries, including the United States, England and Australia.

The prime minister is also scheduled to participate in the closing ceremony of the centenary celebrations of Shri Jagadguru Vishwaradhya Gurukul and would release the translated version of the Shri Siddhant Shikhamani Granth in 19 languages and its mobile application.

According to officials in Varanasi, PM Modi will address a public rally and inaugurate Chowkaghat-Lehartara over-bridge. He would also inaugurate the Vedic Science Centre at BHU.

(PTI Report)