This weekly special train will start from Vadakovai in Coimbatore and reach Siradi via Tirupur, Erode, Salem, Bangalore and Mantralayam.
Coimbatore: The first direct weekly train to Shirdi chugged off from the Vadakovai (North Coimbatore) railway station on Tuesday evening (June 14).
The train named as 'South Star' was decked with garlands for the inaugural function which was attended by members of the private company as well as Director and Actor Cheran. This weekly special train will start from Vadakovai in Coimbatore and reach Siradi via Tirupur, Erode, Salem, Bangalore and Mantralayam. Train tickets for this special train service are available at Sai Baba temples in Coimbatore, Tiruppur, Erode and Salem.
The train has an air-conditioning facility and special services like housekeeping, security and doctors.
In addition, special VIP darshan is provided to train passengers, and rooms are provided for all devotees to stay in Siradi. Also, travellers will be provided with pillows for sleeping and devotional songs will resound on the train through the special speakers fitted in the train.
The train fare for the weekly special train is Rs.2,500, while the package fare is Rs.4,999. The III A/C fare will be Rs.5000 and Rs.7,999 for the package. Rs.7000 is being charged for II A/C and Rs.9,999 for the package. For First Class A/C the fare will be Rs.10,000 and the package fare will be Rs.12,999. The train fare on 'South Star' is Rs.2,500 while the package fee is Rs.4,999. The three-tier bed facility with refrigeration will be Rs. 5000 and Rs.7,999, two-tier refrigerators at Rs.7000, and a package fee of Rs.9,999 has been fixed. Rs.10,000 for first-class refrigerator and Rs. 12,999 is charged as a package.
Speaking to the media after the inaugural function, the Southern Railway Chief General Officer, G Ganesan said, "The train service is being operated under the Bharat Gaurav scheme. The train will be a special five-day journey for tourists and devotees and it will halt at Mantralayam for five hours. We are going to run this train as a tourist train and it has been well-received by various States. Also, this train service is scheduled to run thrice a month.
One-crore insurance will be given to those who book one coach. This train has 20 compartments including A/C compartments. Indian Railways can also provide security and other services that are being provided by a private company. The people who work on this train are from the private company."
Director Cheran responded to the media on the new train service to Shirdi saying, "It is a welcome move." When asked if the train fare was too high for travellers, he quipped, "Petrol and diesel prices are higher than this."