Parliament Question: Bharat Gaurav Trains to Puri

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 906 ANSWERED ON 06.02.2026 BHARAT GAURAV TRAINS TO PURI 906 Shri Subhasish Khuntia: Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state: (a) whether Bharat Gaurav Trains are currently operating or proposed to be operated to Puri in Odisha, if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor; (b) whether Government proposes to increase the number of Bharat Gaurav Trains to Puri and other destinations in Odisha, if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor; (c) whether any assessment has been made of the impact of these trains on tourism, local livelihoods, handicrafts, and employment generation in Odisha; and (d) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor? ANSWER MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, INFORMATION & BROADCASTING AND ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW) (a) to (d): Indian Railways have issued ‘Bharat Gaurav Trains’ policy in November’ 2021, under which theme based tourist circuit trains are being run with the objective to showcase India’s rich cultural heritage and magnificent historical places to the people of India and the world. As per this policy, service providers have full flexibility to decide the themes/itineraries for operation of Bharat Gaurav tourist circuit trains, which may include tourist circuits of any part of India including the state of Odisha, based on market demand, commercial viability etc. Bharat Gaurav Trains cover various tourist destinations in Odisha including Puri, Konark, Bhubaneswar etc. As on 31.12.2025, 83 trips of Bharat Gaurav Trains have been operated to Puri and various other destinations in Odisha, facilitating 49,285 tourists. These tourists have extensively utilised local services such as road transportation, hotels, restaurants, food outlets, handicraft shops and other amenities thereby having a positive impact on the growth of the local economy in the state. Contd…./2--2- The Bharat Gaurav Train circuits covering Puri are as under: S.No Circuits to Puri 1. Divya Kashi- Adi Amavasya Special 2. Sampoorna Yatra 3. Shri Jagannath Yatra 4. Shakti Peeth Special 5. Punya Kshetra Yatra - Puri, Kashi, Ayodhya 6. Puri Gangasagar Divya Kashi Yatra 7. Divya Kshetradanam 8. Puri Bhubaneshwar Yatra 9. Ram Katha Yatra 10. Char Dham Yatra 11. Experience the Soul of India 12. Shri Rama Kalyana Yathra in Ayodhya with Nava Shakthi Peeth Yatra 13. Pind Pradanam Special 14. Maha Kumbh Yatra with Puri, Varanasi 15. Thai Amavasai 16. Kashi Rameshwaram Teerthdanam Special 17. State Teerth Bharat Gaurav Trains *****