New Delhi: President Draupadi Murmu departed for Mathura today by train under tight security to pay obeisance to Lord Krishna and Radha Rani. The Maharaja Express was operated as a Presidential Special Train from Delhi’s Safdarjung Railway Station to Mathura for the President. Previously, former President Ram Nath Kovind also traveled to his ancestral village in Kanpur from Delhi’s Safdarjung Railway Station on this special train. The Maharaja Express is now operated as a Presidential Special Train because the traditional Presidential Saloon (Presidential Twin Car) has been preserved as a heritage item at the National Rail Museum in New Delhi.
Journey by Presidential Special Train
President Draupadi Murmu departed for Mathura from Delhi’s Safdarjung Railway Station at 8:10 am on Thursday morning on the Presidential Special Train. The Maharaja Express was operated as a Presidential Special Train, with a total of 18 coaches. A large number of security personnel and his staff accompanied the President. Furthermore, the advance pilot engine and one coach were run ahead of the President’s Special Train to conduct security checks on the railway track. Following the security checks, the President’s Special Train followed. The President will return to Delhi this evening after the Darshan Darshan. It should be noted that President Draupadi Murmu previously traveled by special train from Bhubaneswar to her hometown of Rayarangapur (Odisha) in June 2023.
Tight security arrangements: The President’s Special Train was operated under tight security. Strict security checks had been underway from the railway station to the railway track for several days. Personnel from various security agencies, including the Special Protection Group (SPG), the Reserve Bank of India (RPF), and the Delhi Police, were deployed at the railway station. A large number of security personnel also traveled from Delhi to Mathura on the President’s Special Train. Furthermore, RPF and state police personnel have been deployed on the railway track for security purposes.
This train also ran in 2021: On June 25, 2021, then-President Ram Nath Kovind traveled from Delhi to Kanpur by train. At that time, the Maharaja Express was operated as a presidential special train. This special train ran from Delhi’s Safdarjung Railway Station to Kanpur. The same protocols were followed at that time.
Previously, there was a Presidential Saloon: After India’s independence, the President had a separate saloon, known as the Presidential Saloon or Presidential Twin Car, which consisted of two special coaches: one for the President and the other for his staff. This special saloon was built in 1956. In 2024, on the instructions of the President’s Office, it was preserved at the National Rail Museum, where the public can view it. This historic saloon has been used by many heads of state, from the country’s first President, Dr. Rajendra Prasad, to Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam.
