(This article is authored by Alar) 

Tamil Nadu is all set to flag off the first private-backed express train on Tuesday - June 14 where it will operate a circuit tour from Coimbatore to Shirdi in Maharashtra. In the midst of huge flak from the opposition parties over the Union government's efforts to pump in the private players in India's largest public-sector unit, this train has been prepared to embark on its first journey with exorbitant fares. 

The Indian Railways under the current Modi regime has launched the scheme of 'Bharat Gaurav' under which the current private-backed train will be operated. The train offers both the single-routed journey and a package wherein the people would tour Shirdi and return by the same train. Starting from Coimbatore on Tuesday, the train will reach Mantralayam in Andhra Pradesh on Wednesday and will reach Shirdi in the evening hours of Wednesday.

More than being a private-backed train, it will also become the pilot project of rolling out the devotional tours across the country through the rail network. It will be a weekly trip and after reaching Shirdi, it will be starting again from Shirdi on Thursday evening and would reach Coimbatore on Friday evening. The train will have stoppages at Coimbatore, Tiruppur, Erode, Salem, Bengaluru, and Mantralayam. People can also use this service to visit the Raghavendra Swamy temple in Mantralayam and the service has become special for the devotees to worship the iconic Sai Baba temple in Shirdi. 

The train will commence its first journey from Coimbatore at 6 pm on Tuesday and it will reach Shirdi on Wednesday evening. Southern Railway General Manager BG Mallya and Salem Divisional Manager Gautam Srinivasan had earlier inspected the work and arrangements. They also had reviewed the facilities that will be provided to the passengers on the train. They had inspected food, charging, hospitality, and cargo facilities that will be provided to the passengers. 

This train operator will be offering the package where the passengers will be provided with a special entry of worship in Shirdi, a three-bed AC room to stay in, a tourist guide, and travel insurance. If the passengers wish to tour Mantralayam, they need to pay separately. As the operation has been carried out by the private player, the tickets for this train can be bought at any Saibaba temples in Coimbatore, Tirupur, Erode, and Salem. 

Its exorbitant ticket fare has turned heads, sparked more criticisms, and shocked the people. As a train ticket, you have to pay Rs 2,500 per person for sleeper class, for third AC you have to pay Rs 5,000, while Rs 7,000 and Rs 10,000 for second and first AC classes respectively. If you are opting for the tour package, you have to pay Rs 4,999 for the sleeper class, Rs 7,999 for the third AC, Rs 9,999 for the second AC, and Rs 12,999 per ticket for the first AC coaches. 

In November 2021, with the view to promoting domestic tourism, the Indian Railways has launched Bharat Gaurav trains that will be operated by private players and run on theme-based circuits. Under this scheme, the private players and tour operators can procure trains from railways on lease and operate them on any circuit of their choice and they can decide the fares, routes, and quality of services. For this train from Coimbatore, Southern Railway would provide loco pilots and ticket checking staff and the private players have said that the online ticket booking facility will be launched soon.