Special train takes President to Ayodhya

LUCKNOW : President Ram Nath Kovind travelled to the holy town of Ayodhya from Lucknow by a special train on Sunday morning. The presidential entourage, after spending the day at Ayodhya, took the train back to Lucknow in the evening.

The presidential Train commenced its journey from Charbagh station here at 9.39am on Sunday to reach Ayodhya station at 11.27 am.

At the Charbagh station, the President was welcomed by Governor Anandiben Patel, minister of state for railways, Darshana Vikram Jardosh, deputy chief minister Dinesh Sharma and several railway officials.

On reaching Ayodhya railway station, the President was received by chief minister Yogi Adityanath and senior officials of Northern Railway. The President returned to Lucknow by the same train from Ayodhya at 6 pm.

The President had earlier travelled to his home town in Kanpur Dehat from Delhi Safdarjung station in June 2021. “It is an honour and privilege for Indian Railways to have hosted the two trips for the First Citizen of India. Similar to his last travel, a special presidential train was constituted for the President’s travel to the temple town of Ayodhya,” said Deepak Kumar, chief public relations officer, Northern Railways.

The presidential saloon coach, in use since independence, had been decommissioned at the instance of the President some time back, as its maintenance required considerable money and resources.

As the ancient city of Ayodhya is being given a facelift, the Northern Railways is enhancing facilities in and around the city for better passenger and freight experience. The railway station is being redeveloped.