MUZAFFARPUR – In the wake of the consecration ceremony of Ramlala at the Shri Ram temple in Ayodhya, a surge of devotees from across the country is anticipated. To facilitate this influx, special trains named Astha Special Train will be operated from all zonal railway areas in the country. The initiative, spearheaded by the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC), has gained approval from the Finance Directorate.
Vipul Singhal, the Passenger Marketing Director of the Railway Board, issued a letter on Friday addressed to the Principal Chief Commercial Manager, Principal Chief Operating Manager, and all regional railway zones, including the East Central Railway. The letter outlined the monitoring responsibilities for the railway zones through which the Astha special train is scheduled to pass.
Guidelines for the operation of Astha Special Train have been disseminated, highlighting key aspects of ticket issuance. Tickets for these special trains will be exclusively available through the IRCTC tourist portal, with profiles not appearing in the Passenger Reservation System (PRS) database. IRCTC will directly handle ticket issuance, requiring passengers to provide details along with emergency contact numbers of their relatives.
Noteworthy provisions include six reserved berths for catering staff in every three coaches of the Astha special trains. IRCTC employees will not incur charges for the distribution and transportation of catering services in these coaches. Additional services, such as escorting parties and on board housekeeping service (OBHS) staff, will be provided to ensure railway security.
