The first service of the theme-based Bharat Gaurav Train from Coimbatore North to  Sainagar Shirdi started its journey on 14-06-2022 in the presence of Shri Gautam  Srinivas, DRM, Salem Division, Shri R Senthil Kumar, Chief Commercial  Manager/Passenger Services, Southern Railway, Shri Hari Krishnan, Senior Divisional  Commercial Manager, Salem Division, various Senior officials of the South Star Rail 

Project, Officials of Southern Railway and Salem Division. With this, Southern Railway  becomes the first zone in Indian Railways to get the first Registered service provider  under the ‘Bharat Gaurav” Scheme and commence the operations of the maiden service  from Coimbatore North to Sainagar Shirdi. 1100 passengers boarded the maiden  roundtrip service from Coimbatore to Shirdi on 14-06-2022. 

Coimbatore North – Sainagar Shirdi – Coimbatore North Bharat Gaurav Trains 

The Bharat Gaurav Train from Coimbatore North to Sainagar Shirdi will commence at  18:00 hours on 14th June 2022 (Tuesday) and reach Sainagar Shirdi at 07:25 hours on  16th June 2022 (Thursday) with stoppages at Tiruppur, Erode, Salem, Yelahanka,  Dharmavaram, Mantralayam Road and Wadi. 

During the onward journey from Coimbatore, this Bharat Gaurav Train has stoppage at  Mantralayam Road station for 5 hours to facilitate darshan at Mantralayam temple 

In the return direction, the Bharat Gaurav Train from Sainagar Shirdi to Coimbatore North  will commence at 07:25 hours on 17th June 2022 (Friday) and reach Coimbatore North at 

12:00 hours on 18th June 2022 (Saturday) with stoppages at Wadi, Dharmavaram,  Yelahanka, Salem, Erode and Tiruppur. 

Composition : First AC Coach -1, 2-tier AC coaches – 3, 3-tier AC coaches-8, Sleeper  Class coaches-5 , Pantry car-1 and Luggage-cum-Brake Vans-2. (Total – 20 coaches) 

Detailed arrival/departure Timings/stoppages of Coimbatore North – Sainagar Shirdi – Coimbatore North Bharat Gaurav Trains is given below: 

Registered Service Provider 

South Star Rail is the registered service provider that operates this Bharat Gaurav Train  from Coimbatore to Shirdi and back. This Coimbatore based company is registered  company and it is part of the conglomerate group – Future Gaming & Hotel Services Pvt.  Limited. The service provider has paid Rs.1 Crore as security deposit to Southern  Railway for the rake with a composition of 20 coaches. Besides, the company has paid  Rs.27.79 lakh for annual right to Use charges and Quarterly fixed haulage charges of  Rs.76.77 lakh. In addition, Variable haulage charges of Rs. 38.22 lakhs also has been  collected towards the current round trip. All these charges are excluding GST. 

From operation of this Bharat Gaurav train, Southern Railway would get a total fixed revenue of Rs. 3.34 crores per annum, i.e., an annual Right to use charges of Rs. 27.79  lakhs (exl GST) and Rs. 3.07 Crores towards Fixed haulage charges p.a. In addition  variable haulage charge of Rs. 38.22 lakhs (excl GST) for the 5 day trip from Coimbatore  to Sainagar, Shirdi and back will accrue to Southern Railway. Similar variable charges  will be collected for every trip depending upon the itinerary. 

The registered service provider has refurbished the interiors of the coaches and all the  coaches will be manned with round the clock cleaning staff and whole team of service  professionals to offer passengers a wholesome experience. Public address system has  been provided in all coaches for regular communication, playing of devotional songs and  mantras. In addition to option of offering the option of exclusive transportation services,  the registered service provider also offers a package fare which includes transportation  from Coimbatore to Shirdi and back, VIP darshan, bus arrangement, air-conditioned  accommodation, facilitation by tour guide, etc. 

Other features of the train service are: 

▪ There will be a Doctor on board to attend any emergency 

▪ There are Private securities engaged along with the Railway Police Force  to protect us from any kind of harm 

▪ There will be on board electricians and AC Mechanic and Fire and Safety  Officers 

▪ The train is maintained by branded housekeeping service providers who  will clean the utility areas on frequent intervals and the caterers are  experienced and rich in holding the traditional vegetarian menus. 

▪ The coaches are fitted with high bass sounding speakers and an on-rail  Radio Jockey to keep the passengers entertained during the journey.  There will be devotional songs, spiritual stories and live interviews to keep  the journey pleasant 

▪ Completely Toxic-free and Smoke-free  

Bharat Gaurav Trains 

Indian Railways had launched the operation of theme-based Bharat Gaurav train in the  month of November 2021. The objective of this theme is to showcase India’s rich cultural  heritage and magnificent historical places to the people of India and the world, through  Bharat Gaurav Trains. This scheme also aims to leverage the core strengths of the  professionals of the tourism sector to run theme-based trains to tap the vast tourist  potential of India.  

At present, IRCTC is already running several tourist circuit trains in Railways. With  introduction of this policy, all tourist circuit trains w.e.f 01-04-2022 shall be operated as  per the guidelines issued under this policy. This Bharat Gaurav scheme will now help in  roping in of more tour operators with professional experience and will give boost to  tourism sector in the country.