With the demise of Sri Satya Sai Baba at 7:40 am yesterday, the followers of the spiritual leader are flocking to Puttaparthi (the abode of Baba) in an attempt to catch a glimpse of his mortal remains. His death saw South Central Railway (SCR) announce special trains to Puttaparthi on 25th, 26th and 27th of April.
Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC) and Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) had also declared that they would run
special buses from various stations across the state to enable devotees to travel to Puttaparthi.
Train No. 07611 will depart from Secunderabad at 5:30pm on 25th April, and arrive in Puttaparthi at 3:30am on the 26th. On the return journery, Train No. 07612 will depart from Puttaparthi at 5am on the 26th, and will reach Kachiguda at 5:30 pm on the same day.
The train comprises one AC 2-tier, 2 AC 3-tier, 10 sleeper class, 2 general 2nd class coaches, and 2 luggage-cum-brake vans, totalling 17.
One-way specials are also scheduled to depart from Kachiguda and Vijayawada on 26th April.
Train No. 07603 will depart from Kachiguda at 10pm on the 26th, and will arrive in Puttaparthi at 7:30 am the next day, 27th April.
Train No. 07211 is to depart from Vijayawada at 4pm on the 26th, and is expected to arrive in Puttaparthi at 4:30 am on the 27th. Enroute to Puttaparthi, the train will halt at Guntur, Narsaraopet, Vinukonda, Donakonda, Markapur road, Cumbum, Giddalur, Nandial, Dhone, Gooty, Anantapur and Dharmavaram.
This train comprises one AC 2-tier,2 AC 3-tier, 2 chair cars, 3 sleeper class, 4 general 2nd class coaches, and two 2nd class luggage-cum-brake vans, totalling 14.