On January 9, 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagged off the Pravasi Bharatiya Express, a special state-of-the-art tourist train for the Indian diaspora, from Bhubaneswar, Odisha. The launch coincides with the 110th anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi’s return to India from South Africa on this date in 1915. The train, designed under the Pravasi Teerth Darshan Yojana (PTDY), aims to connect Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs) with India’s rich cultural and religious heritage by offering a fully sponsored tour across the country.
Key Features of Pravasi Bharatiya Express
- Launch Date: January 9, 2025
- Flagged Off By: Prime Minister Narendra Modi
- Purpose: To reconnect Indian diaspora with India’s cultural and religious roots
- Organized Under: Pravasi Teerth Darshan Yojana (PTDY) by the Ministry of External Affairs in collaboration with IRCTC
Eligibility Criteria For Travelers
- Only Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs) in the age group of 45-65 years can travel on this train.
- Preference given to PIOs from low-income categories, who otherwise cannot afford to visit India.
Government Support For Travelers
- The Indian government will bear all expenses related to the train tour.
- The government will also cover 90% of the return airfare from the PIOs’ country of origin to India.
- PIOs will only need to pay 10% of the return airfare.
Journey Details of Express
- Tour Duration: 14 Nights and 15 Days (total 17 days, including pre and post-tour stay)
- Departure Station: Delhi Safdarjung Railway Station
- Tour Type: Fully conducted tour across multiple destinations of cultural and religious significance in India.
Destinations Covered and Details
Destination |
Key Attraction |
Delhi |
Parliament House, Rashtrapati Bhawan, India Gate, Bangla Sahib Gurudwara |
Ayodhya |
Ram Mandir, Hanuman Garhi, Kanak Bhawan, Saryu Aarti |
Patna |
Buddha Smriti Park, Patna Saheb Gurudwara |
Gaya |
Vishnupad Temple, Mahabodhi Temple, 80 ft Buddha Statue |
Varanasi |
Kashi Vishwanath Temple, Ganga Aarti |
Mahabalipuram |
Shore Temples |
Rameshwaram |
Dhanushkodi, Ramanathaswamy Temple |
Madurai |
Meenakshi Temple |
Cochin |
Fort Kochi, Chinese Fishing Nets, Cruise Ride |
Goa |
Basilica of Bom Jesus, North & South Goa |
Ekta Nagar |
Statue of Unity (World’s tallest statue of Sardar Patel) |
Ajmer |
Dargah of Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti |
Pushkar |
Brahma Temple, Pushkar Lake |
Agra |
Taj Mahal |
Ticket and Tour Costs
- The train accommodates a maximum of 156 passengers.
- All travel, food, and accommodation costs during the train tour are covered by the government.
- The government will also cover 90% of return airfares, while PIOs will bear only 10% of the airfare cost.
Summary/Static |
Details |
Why in the news? |
Pravasi Bharatiya Express: A Gift to Indian Diaspora |
Train Name |
Bharat Gaurav – Pravasi Bharatiya Express |
Flagged Off By |
Prime Minister Narendra Modi |
Departure Station |
Delhi Safdarjung |
Tour Duration |
14 Nights, 15 Days (17 Days Total with Pre/Post Tour) |
Target Group |
Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs) aged 45-65 years |
Government Support |
Covers all train expenses and 90% of airfare costs |
Organized By |
Ministry of External Affairs and IRCTC |
Total Passengers |
156 |
Key Destinations |
Ayodhya, Patna, Gaya, Varanasi, Mahabalipuram, Rameshwaram, Madurai, Cochin, Goa, Ekta Nagar, Ajmer, Pushkar, Agra |
Tour Highlights |
Religious sites, UNESCO World Heritage Sites, iconic landmarks |