NPN

President Draupadi Murmu will arrive in Vrindavan on Thursday by the Maharaja Express. Indian Railways will transport President Murmu from New Delhi's Safdarjung Railway Station to Vrindavan Road Station near Mathura. The Maharaja Express, one of the world's most luxurious trains, is operated by the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) for elite tourists during the winter season. A railway official said, "The 18-coach train will have 12 Maharaja Express coaches, including a presidential suite, deluxe suite, restaurant, lounge, and power car for the President and his staff. It will also have two standard AC coaches for senior railway staff." He added, "To ensure uninterrupted service, the special train will be equipped with two engines. One engine will operate while the other will be on standby to handle technical problems." Arrival in Vrindavan at 10 AM Sources said the train will depart from Safdarjung Station at around 8 AM and arrive at Vrindavan Road Station at around 10 AM. The President's Office said in a statement, "During the visit, President Murmu will offer prayers at the Shri Banke Bihari Temple, Nidhivan, and Kubja Krishna Temple in Vrindavan. She will also visit Sudama Kuti in Vrindavan and offer prayers at the Shri Krishna Janmasthan in Mathura." An official said, "Since the Shri Krishna Janmasthan Temple is located near Mathura Junction, the President will board a special train from there for the return journey in the evening." Travel will be between two different zones Necessary instructions have been issued to senior railway officials, station masters, Railway Protection Force (RPF) and Government Railway Police (GRP) personnel, and other concerned staff to ensure their presence during their assigned duty hours along the entire route. Railway sources said that the originating and destination stations fall under two different railway zones, Northern Railway and North Central Railway, and both zones have been directed to closely coordinate to ensure smooth and safe operations. President Murmu last traveled by special train from Bhubaneswar to her hometown of Rayarangapur in Odisha in June 2023. Tight security arrangements in Mathura The district administration has made strict security arrangements for President Draupadi Murmu's visit. Officials said that police personnel have been deployed at every nook and corner. Entry to most roads in the city has been restricted, and all schools from grades 1 to 12 in Mathura and Vrindavan have been declared closed. District Magistrate Chandra Prakash Singh and Senior Superintendent of Police Shlok Kumar stated that security arrangements have been tightened in Mathura and Vrindavan in view of the President's visit. They said that 4,000 state police personnel and officers, along with eight companies (approximately 1,000 personnel) of the Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC), have been deployed. President's Schedule Officers and security personnel from central security agencies are also actively performing their duties in Delhi. He stated that every inch of the President's arrival and arrival at the event venues will be monitored. Security forces will be deployed on all routes. According to official sources, since this is a private religious visit for the President, State Cabinet Minister Choudhary Lakshminarayan will receive the President instead of the Chief Minister. He will arrive at Vrindavan Road station in the morning accompanied by officials for the welcome.