New Delhi: The Indian Railway will be running Aastha Special Trains for round trips to destinations of socio-cultural importance.

In a circular, the Railway Board stated: The Ministry of Railways has decided to run Aastha special trains with a round-trip ticketing facility from different parts of the country to destinations of socio-cultural importance and return on the following terms and conditions:

1. A single ticket shall be issued for both the onward and return journey. Basic fare shall be calculated based on the total round trip distance (both onward and return journey) with telescopic benefits applicable for Mail/Express trains.

2. Onboard catering shall also be provided by IRCTC in such special trains.

3. Other charges like reservation charge, superfast charges, catering charges, and service charges of IRCTC, GST, etc., as applicable shall be levied separately.

4. Rounding off of the fare shall be made as per existing principles. Normal child fare rules shall apply.

5. Coaching Directorate will issue a notification of Aastha special trains on a round-trip basis with a single number. Booking of tickets in such trains shall be done only by IRCTC. Passenger manifest containing name, age, gender, mobile number, and special needs, if any, will be provided to the IRCTC by the concerned organization/entity.

6. IRCTC to issue a regional color-coded travel authority.

7. Normal cancellation of tickets and refund of fare rules shall apply.

The above shall be implemented on an experimental basis for a period of one year, the statement added. DeshGujarat