Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the Pravasi Bharatiya Express, a special tourist train for the Indian diaspora, in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, on January 9, 2025. The train was flagged off to mark the day Mahatma Gandhi returned to India from South Africa in 1915.
About Pravasi Bharatiya Express
This modern tourist train is specially made for Indians living abroad (Persons of Indian Origin, or PIOs). Only PIOs aged 45-65 can travel on the train, with priority given to those from low-income backgrounds who cannot afford to visit India on their own. The train has space for 156 passengers.
Journey Details
The train will visit famous tourist and religious sites across India over three weeks. It will start from Safdarjung Railway Station in New Delhi on January 9, 2025. Destinations include Ayodhya, Varanasi, Patna, Gaya, Mahabalipuram, Rameshwaram, Madurai, Kochi, Goa, Ekta Nagar, Ajmer, Pushkar, and Agra.
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Costs and Benefits
The tour is part of the Pravasi Teerth Darshan Yojana by the Ministry of External Affairs and IRCTC, aimed at reconnecting the Indian diaspora with their roots. The Indian government will pay for the train journey and cover 90% of the return airfare from the PIOs’ countries. PIOs need to pay only 10% of their return airfare to join the tour.