The construction of the Ram temple in Ayodhya, which is expected to be completed by January 2024, has sparked a surge in pilgrim traffic to the holy city. To cater to this demand, Indian Railways has announced that it will run 1,000 trains per day from various parts of the country to Ayodhya from December 2023 onwards. The trains will cover both short-distance and long-distance routes, and will offer comfortable and affordable travel options for the devotees.
Benefits of running more trains
According to Indian Railways officials, running more trains to Ayodhya will have several benefits for the passengers and the economy. Some of these benefits are:
- It will reduce the travel time and cost for reaching Ayodhya from different regions. For example, a train from Delhi will take about 12 hours to reach Ayodhya, while a flight would take about 2 hours.
- It will provide more flexibility and convenience for choosing the departure and arrival timings according to one’s convenience. For example, one can choose to board a train in the morning or evening from any city and reach Ayodhya at night.
- It will create employment opportunities for local people who work as ticket collectors, station masters, guards, etc. at various railway stations along the route.
- It will boost the tourism industry in Uttar Pradesh by attracting more domestic and foreign tourists who want to visit Ayodhya and see the Ram temple.
Challenges faced by Indian Railways
However, running more trains to Ayodhya also poses some challenges for Indian Railways. Some of these challenges are:
- It will require additional infrastructure facilities such as parking lots, security arrangements, sanitation facilities, etc. at various railway stations in Uttar Pradesh.
- It will increase the operational burden on Indian Railways as it has to manage a large number of trains with different speeds, frequencies, routes, etc.
- It will create operational difficulties due to factors such as weather conditions, technical issues, accidents, etc. that may affect the train services.
Response from state government
The state government of Uttar Pradesh has welcomed the initiative by Indian Railways and has assured its full support in making it successful. The state government has also announced that it will provide subsidies and incentives for booking tickets online or through mobile apps.
Response from temple trust
The temple trust that is overseeing the construction of the Ram temple has also expressed its satisfaction with Indian Railways’ plan and has thanked them for their cooperation. The temple trust has also requested Indian Railways to ensure that there is no disruption or delay in train services during or after the inauguration ceremony.
Conclusion
The inauguration ceremony of Ram temple in Ayodhya is expected to be a grand event that will attract millions of devotees from across India and abroad. To facilitate their travel and accommodation needs, Indian Railways has decided to run 1,000 trains per day from various parts of the country starting from December 2023 onwards. This plan is likely to benefit both passengers and railways as well as promote tourism and development in Uttar Pradesh.
