Bhubaneswar, Jan 9: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday virtually inaugurated the inaugural journey of the Pravasi Bharatiya Express, a special tourist train dedicated to the Indian diaspora.

The train, launched under the Ministry of External Affairs' Pravasi Teertha Darshan Yojana, will travel across India for three weeks, covering key tourist and religious destinations. Designed exclusively for the diaspora aged between 45 and 65 years, the train aims to strengthen their connection to India’s cultural and spiritual roots.

Commencing its journey on January 9, 2025, the train’s launch date holds historical significance, marking the day Mahatma Gandhi returned to India from South Africa in 1915. Departing from Safdarjung Railway Station in New Delhi, the train will cover a route that includes Ayodhya, Patna, Gaya, Varanasi, Mahabalipuram, Rameswaram, Madurai, Kochi, Goa, Kevadia (Ekta Nagar), Ajmer, Pushkar, and Agra. It can accommodate 156 passengers.

This initiative, organized by the Ministry of External Affairs in collaboration with IRCTC, offers low-income Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs) the opportunity to explore their ancestral homeland. Indian embassies worldwide invited applications, prioritizing those who could not otherwise afford to visit India.

The Pravasi Bharatiya Express, a state-of-the-art train, reflects the government’s commitment to fostering deeper ties with the diaspora while showcasing India’s rich heritage and diverse tourism.

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