Droupadi Murmu (ANI image) and Maharajas’ Express (File photo)
NEW DELHI: The Indian Railways will deploy one of the world’s most luxurious trains, the Maharajas’ Express to carry President Droupadi Murmu from Safdarjung railway station in New Delhi to Vrindavan Road station near Mathura on Thursday morning.Operated by the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) for high-end tourists during winters, the train has been specially arranged for the President’s journey.A railway official said, “An 18-coach train formation will comprise 12 coaches of Maharajas’ Express, including a Presidential suite, deluxe suites, restaurants, lounges and power cars for the President and her staff. It will have two standard AC coaches for senior railway staff to accompany.”“Two locomotives will be assigned to the special train to ensure seamless services. While one will operate, the other one will be on standby to handle technical issues,” the official added.Sources said the train will depart from Safdarjung station at around 8 am and reach Vrindavan Road station by 10 am, news agency PTI reported. According to a statement from the President’s office, during her day-long visit to Vrindavan, President Murmu will perform darshan and pooja at Shri Banke Bihari Temple, Nidhivan and Kubja Krishna Mandir, as well as visit Sudama Kuti. She will also perform darshan and pooja at Shri Krishna Janmsthan in Mathura.An official noted that since Shri Krishna Janmsthan is close to Mathura Junction, the President will re-board the special train there in the evening for the return journey.Necessary instructions have been issued to senior railway officials, station masters, Railway Protection Force and Government Railway Force personnel and other staff to ensure timely presence at assigned duties throughout the route.Railway sources said the origin and destination stations fall under Northern Railway and North Central Railway zones, both of which have been directed to coordinate closely to ensure smooth and secure operations.President Murmu previously travelled on a special train in June 2023, journeying from Bhubaneswar to her hometown, Rairangpur in Odisha.
