Denial of permission by the Election Commission has forced the Karnataka Government to cancel two trips of Bharat Gaurav Kashi Darshan special trains for pilgrims. The department of Hindu Religious Institutions and Charitable Endowments in a press release stated that as per the directions of the Commission, two trips scheduled on April 14 and 28 have been cancelled.
The department had started accepting bookings from March 25 through the portal of Indian Railways Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC).
After the model code of conduct came into effect, the State government had approached the Election Commission seeking permission to operate the train to Varanasi, Ayodhya and Prayagaraj from various points in the state. The Election Commission directed the State government to immediately stop the booking for the scheduled trips. The Commission had imposed a model code of conduct with effect from March 29.
In November, Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the Bharat Gaurav Tourist train from Bengaluru. The State Government tied up with IRCTC to provide the service. As per the decision of the State Government, a special discount of ₹5,000 was offered per person booking the tickets. The ticket price is ₹20,000 per person.
After the service was launched in November by the Prime Minister, three trains have been operated under the scheme so far. Two trains in November and one in February ferried a total of 1,644 passengers. While announcing the plan, officials had said that the eight-day tour package would include seminars, lectures, group meetings as well as visits to the Vishwanath temple and centres of important cultural heritage in Varanasi, Prayagraj, and Ayodhya. The department was authorised to utilise ₹7 crore sanctioned for the Kashi Yatra.
