The first-ever train journey from the Northeastern states to the holy city of Ayodhya commenced with great fervor. On February 6, , the inaugural ceremony took place at the Ledo Railway Station, where Santanu Pujari, an executive member of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) state committee, Chairman of AIIC, and co-head of the Astha train, flagged off the special train. Under the auspices of the “Astha” scheme initiated by the Government of India, this special train has been arranged to facilitate the pilgrimage to the sacred Ram temple in Ayodhya. Following the inauguration of the Lord Ram idol in Ayodhya on January 22, the Government of India organized this initiative to enable devotees to visit the revered temple.
The special train embarked on its journey with more than three hundred pilgrims hailing from the 83rd constituency of Margherita under the Tinsukia district. This journey marks a significant milestone in the region’s connectivity to Ayodhya, fostering a sense of spiritual unity and reverence among the residents of the Northeast.
During the flag-off ceremony, political figures including BJP Town Mandal President Dhiraj Sonowal along with Bhavesh Dutta and Sanjit Gogoi, were in attendance. Notable officials such as the Tinsukia Railway Mandalik Officer, DRM Uttam Prakash also graced the occasion, highlighting the importance of this inaugural journey.
