Devanjana Mukherjee, Khabri Media
On the 31st of October, 2023, India celebrated the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, one of the nation’s founding fathers, as National Unity Day.
Pic: Social Media
Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagged off the inaugural run of the Steam Heritage Special Train between Ekta Nagar and Ahmedabad, Gujarat. The inauguration took place through a video link from the site of the world’s largest statue, the Statue of Unity, on the occassion of National Unity Day 2023.
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National Unity Day, also known as Rashtriya Ekta Diwas, is celebrated in India on October 31st every year. This special day commemorates the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, one of the founding fathers of the nation. Sardar Patel played a pivotal role in the unification of India by integrating more than 562 princely states into the Indian Union after gaining independence from British colonial rule.
Inaugurated in 2014 by the then-Prime Minister of India, the late Shri. Atal Bihari Vajpayee, it is observed to honor Sardar Patel’s unwavering commitment to national integration, peace, and unity. The day serves as a reminder of the significance of a united India and the challenges and efforts that went into making it a reality.
To commemorate National Unity Day, every year various events and activities take place throughout the day such as cultural programs conducted in educational institutions, “Run For Unity” is organized in various town and cities across India, Floral Tributes, Pledge for Unity (oath undertaken by the youth), educational activities and nonetheless government initiative like flagging off national heritage train in Gujarat.
The non-stop steam train will ply between Ekta Nagar railway station, which connects to the Statue of Unity in Kevadia, to Ahmedabad and will be operational from November 5 and ply every Sunday. This train service aims to provide a unique and nostalgic experience to tourists visiting the Statue of Unity.
Pic: Social Media
The heritage train inaugurated on National Unity Day 2023, will cover a distance of 182 km in 3 hours and 40 minutes. Train No. 09409 will depart from Ahmedabad at 6:10 am and reach Ekta Nagar at 9:50 am. From Ekta Nagar, the train no. 09410 will start at 8:23 pm and reach Ahmedabad at 12:05 am the next day.
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With its distinctive heritage appearance, the train evokes memories of the bygone era of steam engine locomotives. Its interiors are designed to offer a luxurious and memorable travel experience. It comprises four AC Vistadome-type coaches, including three air-conditioned executive chair car coaches with a seating capacity of 48 each and a restaurant dining coach for 28 people.
The interiors of the coaches are wooden and the dining coach has teakwood dining tables with sofas for sitting with a panoramic view. Other features of this special train include GPS-based public address and passenger information system (PAPIS), electronically operated automatic compartment sliding doors, flameless pantry, FRP modular toilets and luggage rack arrangements.
Pic: Social Media
The steam heritage train, flagged off by Prime Minister Modi on National Unity Day 2023, serves as a powerful symbol of unity and India’s rich heritage. The restored steam locomotive harks back to a bygone era of rail travel, reminding people of the nation’s shared history and the role the railways played in connecting diverse regions.
The booking for Train No 09409/09410 is now open and can be made at all PRS counters and on the IRCTC website with a starting price range at Rs. 885/- approximately for a one-way journey, excluding meals. The Advance Reservation Period for this train is 30 days.
