The Indian Railways is set to deploy the Maharajas’ Express, one of the world’s most luxurious trains, to transport President Droupadi Murmu from Safdarjung railway station in New Delhi to Vrindavan Road station near Mathura on Thursday morning.
Managed by the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC), the Maharajas’ Express is typically used for high-end tourism during the winter months. For this special occasion, the train has been specifically arranged for the President’s journey.
According to a railway official, the train will feature an 18-coach formation consisting of 12 coaches from the Maharajas’ Express, which includes a Presidential suite, deluxe suites, restaurants, lounges, and power cars for the President and her staff. Additionally, two standard AC coaches will accommodate senior railway staff accompanying the journey.
To ensure smooth operations, two locomotives will be assigned to the train, with one actively in use while the other remains on standby for any technical issues. Reports indicate that the train is scheduled to leave Safdarjung station around 8 a.m. and is expected to arrive at Vrindavan Road station by 10 a.m.
During her visit to Vrindavan, President Murmu will perform darshan and pooja at various Hindu temples, including the Shri Banke Bihari Temple, Nidhivan, Kubja Krishna Mandir, and Sudama Kuti. She will also pay her respects at Shri Krishna Janmsthan in Mathura.
Following her visit, the President will re-board the special train at Mathura Junction in the evening for her return journey.
Senior railway officials, station masters, Railway Protection Force, and Government Railway Force personnel have been instructed to ensure timely presence and readiness throughout the route. Both the Northern Railway and North Central Railway zones, which encompass the origin and destination stations, have been directed to coordinate closely for seamless and secure operations.
This will not be President Murmu’s first special train journey, as she previously traveled on a designated train in June 2023 from Bhubaneswar to her hometown of Rairangpur in Odisha.
