Steam-powered train to run from Sabarmati to Ahmedabad on Gandhi Jayanti

In a bid to commemorate the 150th anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi this October, the Indian Railways have planned to operate a steam-powered train for the passengers from Sabarmati to Ahmedabad in Gujarat. The tickets issued by the railways will carry the watermark of the Mahatma, and an inspiring message. As per the news reports, the celebrations beginning from October 2 will last for a period of two years!
In addition, all the rail coaches will have a Swachh Bharat logo displaying the spectacles worn by Mahatma Gandhi.

“We have firmed up an action plan to observe the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi in a befitting manner from October 2, 2018, to October 2, 2020,” a senior railway official told the press.
The Indian Railways have come up with a list of railway stations linked with the freedom struggle of Mahatma Gandhi; all these stations will be painted with quotes from the Father of Nation. The prominent stations are Bhavnagar, Santa Cruz, Rajkot, Ahmedabad, Central Mumbai, Bolpur, Jaipur, Delhi, Varanasi, Haridwar, Allahabad, Pune, Chennai and others.

Moreover, digital museums will be installed at all the aforementioned stations during the period to showcase Mahatma Gandhi’s connections with these spots.

“There will be a commemorative run of a steam-hauled passenger train from Sabarmati to Ahmedabad on October 2, 2018, and again in 2019 and 2020 on Gandhi Jayanti day,” a railway official told the press.

The authorities are planning special cleanliness initiatives at the chosen stations in collaboration with religious and charitable entities. Reportedly, as per the plans, a 150th anniversary logo has been specially designed for printing stickers that shall be pasted near the compartment doors, where the reservation list is pasted.

The railways are also planning to run a new train associated with the Mahatma to mark the occasion. “There is also a plan to run a special train, to be called Swachhta Express, from Sabarmati to all stations connected with Gandhiji in collaboration with Culture Ministry,” an official was quoted as saying.

Murals of Mahatma Gandhi will be put up on all divisional headquarter stations and establishments as well as headquarters of zonal railways for the entire two-year celebratory period.