The Kashi Mahakal Express will begin its commercial run from February 20
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday flagged off the Kashi Mahakal Express, the third corporate passenger train, via video conferencing. The pilgrimage train will connect three Jyotirlinga centres - Kashi Vishwanath in Varanasi, Mahakaleshwar in Ujjain and Omkareshwar near Indore.
The fully air-conditioned passenger train would be operated by the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation. Earlier, the IRCTC -- a subsidiary of Indian Railways, had launched two Tejas Express trains.
The Kashi Mahakal Express, IRCTC's third private passenger train, will begin its commercial run from February 20.
The Ministry of Railways has promised to deliver a comfortable overnight journey experience to the passengers.
Here is all you need to know about the Kashi Mahakal Express
Route of IRCTC Kashi Mahakal Express: Besides connecting the religious places of Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh, the train will also connect the industrial and educational hubs of Indore and Bhopal.
The train will halt at Ujjain, Sant Hirdaram Nagar, Bina, Jhansi, Kanpur, Lucknow and Sultanpur.
Frequency: The Kashi Mahakal train will run thrice a week between Varanasi and Indore -- once via Prayagraj and twice via Lucknow.
Features: "High quality" entirely vegetarian meals with local cuisines
Round-the--clock security, CCTV cameras
Systematic and efficient housekeeping staff
Complimentary bed-rolls
Free travel insurance of Rs 10 Lakh
Ticket booking: The booking is exclusively available on the IRCTC website -- www.irctc.co.in -- and its mobile app @IRCTC Rail Connect". Tickets can't be booked at railway reservation counters. The department has laid down a provision of an advance period, i.e. 120 days before the journey date.
Ticket fare: Like other two Tejas Express trains, Kashi Mahakal Express will have a dynamic fare structure. The dynamic nature of the structure basically means fares will be based on the demand of the occupancy. As per the IRCTC website, for a one-side journey, a commuter will have to pay around Rs 1951.