President Ram Nath Kovind Takes Special Train To Ayodhya From Lucknow

President Ram Nath Kovind visited Ayodhya, travelling from Lucknow by a special train on Sunday (29 August) morning.

The presidential train started its journey from the historic Charbag station of Lucknow, the capital city of Uttar Pradesh, at 9.39 am morning to reach Ayodhya station at 11.27 am. At the Charbag station, the President was welcomed by Governor of Uttar Pradesh Anandiben Patel, ministers and top railway officials.

On reaching Ayodhya railway station, the President was received by Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh Yogi Adityanath and senior officials of Northern Railways.

The President returned to Lucknow by the same train.

The President had earlier travelled to his home town in Kanpur Dehat from Delhi Safdarjung station in June 2021.

The Presidential Saloon coach in use since Independence had been decommissioned on the behest of the President some time back, as its maintenance required sizable amount of money and resources.

As the ancient city of Lord Rama, Ayodhya, is being enlivened, Northern Railways is enhancing facilities in and around the city for better passenger and freight experience.

The railway station is being redeveloped and a slew of amenities for the benefit of rail users are being added at a cost of Rs 80 crore, which includes a new station building, foot over bridges, escalators and lifts, public facilities and rest rooms etc.

A new freight handling terminal is coming up at Salarpur. Works like development of Coal siding at Bhilarghat, electrification of Barabanki-Akbarpur rail section and Railway Line doubling between Barabanki-Ayodhya-Zafarabad are in different stages of completion.

In Delhi, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, thanked the President for choosing to travel to Ayodhya by train. He said that the railways is focusing on development of stations of religious and cultural importance to encourage travel, tourism and pilgrimage to these spots. This will boost and facilitate the local economy.