Kochi to organize Kerala Travel Mart 2018 from September 27-30

Kerala Travel Mart, one of India’s largest tourism sector conclave of stakeholders from across the world is set to start its biennial meeting in Kochi on the September 27 for 4 days, concluding on September 30. The 10th edition of the event is being held while in the recovery stage from devastation caused by floods, is a message to the world that the state shall rise again.

10th Edition of Kerala Travel Mart 2018 at Kochi from Sept 27-30

The hotel Grand Hyatt at Bolgatty shall host the inaugural session of the four-day event. Organised by the KTM Society in association with the State Tourism Department, the event shall focus on resurging tourism, one of the major sources of economy on track after the natural devastation.

The KTM has received an overwhelming response with confirmation as registered participants from 395 overseas buyers and 1,095 domestic buyers form 73 countries.

Since its inception and each of its editions, the Travel Mart has served as a strong platform to showcase the might of Kerala, the time-tested as well as new products and services. Bringing together people from all over the world under one roof- reputed buyers and sellers, and tour operators, the mart offers establishing and growing firm business links.
 
Delegates at the 2018 KTM by the State Government proposes to launch new products that include Malabar river cruise project that aims on nine rivers in north Kerala.

Recovering fast and steadily from the natural calamity, tourism is making a comeback. Furthermore, traffic to major destinations across the state beaches resumed. Travelers from around the globe are planning for holidays in the peak season and are seen making bookings.

As stated by Abraham George, former president and expert member of the National Tourism Advisory Committee, meticulous plans have been made to organize the event for the safety, security and comfort of participants. For accommodation more than 1,000 rooms have been booked in the top hotels in the city.

193 nations, 6 lakh villages to participate in the Ardh Kumbh Mela 2019

Allahabad will host the Ardh Kumbh Mela in 2019 at Triveni Sangam. The largest devotional gathering of Hindu devotees in the world seeks participation from 193 nations and 6 lakh villages in India. The Uttar Pradesh Government headed by CM Yogi Adityanath make all preparations to make the event globally recognized.


Listed as one of the 13 elements in India’s Intangible Cultural Heritage, Kumbh Mela is one of the holiest events in Hindu mythology that happens every 12 years. While Ardh Kumbh Mela, the mini version happens once in 6 years at Allahabad, Triveni Sangam at the confluence of the rivers of Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswati and Haridwar along the River Ganga. 

Starting in 2019 from 14/15th January, the auspicious occasion of Makar Sankranti to 4th March, the festival of Maha Shivaratri, the event marks the presence of devotees from all over the world to take a dip in the holy river waters at Triveni Sangam.

To make the event a global one, the UP Government plans to invite 193 countries all over the world. As per Yogi Adityanath, chief minister of Uttar Pradesh, representatives from each of these countries would be welcomed to a visit to the site of the Ardh Kumbh Mela at The Triveni Sangam in the second week of December. 

The Central Government headed by Prime Minster Narendra Modi supports the initiative and has plans to personally investigate all preparation in October or November. Instructions are given to all Indian Ambassadors posted all over the world to showcase the Kumbh Mela to the world in a grand way, the Modi Government has also instructed all Indian ambassadors to portray the Kumbh Mela in the respective countries where they are posted. Also to ensure success of the event, the government seeks aid of national and international tour operators. 

Regional Tourism Officer, Allahabad, Anupam Srivastava, stated that the Ardh Kumbh Mela preparations will also be monitored by a delegation of ambassadors of foreign countries led by Sushma Swaraj, External Affairs Minister. The delegation will ensure good accommodation, tourist facilities and best experiences for their nationals during the Mela.

Apart from targeting global participants, the government will make sure that at least two people from every village in India attend the Ardh Kumbh Mela 2019. Out of a total of 6 lakh villages in the country, participation of 12 lakh people is expected.

Antyodaya Express to start from Bikaner to Bilaspur

A weekly train named Antyodaya Express was started from Bikaner to Bilaspur. The train runs without reservation and was flagged off by Mr. Rajen Gohain, the union minister of state for Railways, from Bikaner Station at 1:00 PM.

Train number 14719, Bikaner-Bilaspur Antyodaya Express will run from Bikaner on July 18 and will continue to run on every Wednesday. On the other hand, train number 14720 will continue to run on every Sunday from Bilaspur upon its start-off after July 20.

Antyodaya Express - Bikaner to Bilaspur

The train features a total of 18 LHB coaches including 16 General Category coaches and 2 Generator coaches. Also, the Bikaner-Bilaspur Antyodaya Express covers a distance of 1498 km in 38 hours. This will help people with easy traveling amidst various comforts.

Earlier also, people were benefitted with the services of Antyodaya Express when it first began to run on March 4, 2017. The train was flagged off by Suresh Prabhu, the former Minister of Railways and runs between Ernakulam Junction and Howrah.

Special features of Antyodaya Express

  • The train covers the journey at the night.
  • The passengers are not required to book tickets in advance. General second class tickets are valid for this train.
  • Vinyl Sheets are used to decorate the façade of the train to make it more attractive.
  • The coaches of the train come with features like mobile charging points and bio-toilets in the compartments. Indian Railways has designed the model of this train.
  • Safety and security is ensured with the help of CCTV cameras and smoke alarms.
  • Coat hangers, aqua guard water vending machines and Braille indicators are the other highlights of this train.

Besides Antyodaya Express, there are other types of trains as well in India which are mentioned below.

1. Passenger Trains

Passenger Trains

Passenger Trains consist of passenger carrying vehicles and navigate from depots or stations. A passenger traveling from one station to another can embark or disembark from or at the desired station. Interstate trains, intercity trains etc. come under this category.

2. Toy Trains


Toy Trains give the passengers a chance to marvel at the scenic views while covering the most picturesque trails. These trains usually run in the hill stations but are sometimes used for events and exhibitions. The Darjeeling Himalayan Railways and the Nilgiri Mountain Railway are two very popular toy trains in India and are declared as UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

3. Semi-High Speed Trains


The concept of Semi-High Speed Trains in India was started in 2016 with the inaugural of the Gatiman Express. The first semi-high speed train in India runs between Delhi to Agra at a speed of 160 km/hr.

4. Local Trains


These trains are popular in almost every state. They take people from one district to another within the state. To travel on these trains, tickets can be bought a few minutes before embarking on them.

5. Luxury Trains


These trains are for the elite class. Fully-equipped with all the luxuries and modern comforts, these trains take the ‘royals’ from one place to another. Popular Indian Luxury Trains are Maharajas’ Express, Palace on Wheels, Golden Chariot, and Deccan Odyssey etc.

6. Express Trains

Express Trains

Famed for their speed, these trains save a lot of time of the passengers. Well-known names are Rajdhani Express and Shatabdi Express etc.

7. Metro Train


With the facility of Metro trains, traveling in the metropolis has become easier and comfortable. Now, no need to worry about the traffic jams, scorching heat or overcrowded modes of traveling. These trains take less time and are a favored choice of many. Delhi Metro, Kolkata Metro and Hyderabad Metro are the famous ones.

Read More: 
How to get around in Delhi by Metro Rail
Delhi Metro Airport Express Train Guide

8. Garib Rath


Posing a challenge for the express trains, Garib Rath saves a lot of money of the passengers. These trains are equipped with comfortable seats, have AC coaches and travel faster. Puri - Howrah Garib Rath Express and Pune - Nagpur Garib Rath Express are two names in this series.

The list of trains is wide and exhaustive. These were some of the popular train types in India.

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