Two couples sign up for Karwa Chauth train, special service cancelled

idea was to rekindle romance in marri on a train journey through deserts of Rajasthan but Indian Railways plan for a special 'Karwa Chauth' train service came a cropper with only two couples signing up, sources said.  result: Majestic Rajasthan Deluxe, which was launched to provide a 'dream holiday' to couples for a five-day tour of State, stands cancelled, officials said. 

y said only two couples booked tickets on train which has 78 seats. Only married couples were allowed on train, which came with special touches like a shower cubicle and a foot mass, although IRCTC had made special arrangements for children, officials said.

READ | After Creating Record, Virat Kohli Celebrates First Karwa Chauth With Anushka Sharma; Here Are Couple's Lovely Posts For Each Or

train, part of Indian Railway Catering And Tourism Corporation's (IRCTC) promotional offers, was to depart from Safdarjung station in Delhi on October 14 and visit historical sites in Rajasthan like Jaisalmer Fort, Patwon ki Haveli, Gadisar Lake, Mehrangarh Fort, Jaswant Thada, Amber Fort and City Palace till October 18.

"Only two couples have booked tickets on it so it is as good as cancelled. We cant run a train like this without occupancy," a senior official said. 

In its promotional mess, IRCTC said, "This Karwa Chauth, give your wife a special gift which she will remember for s." Officials said that low turut could be because of high fares Rs. 1,02,960 per couple in AC first tier and Rs 90,090 per couple in AC 2 Tier. Facilities included a personal digital locker, shower cubicle, foot mass and a seating area with single-seater sofas. Passengers were assured free insurance worth Rs. 10 lakh each. 

source said that fares of two couples will be refunded.  festival of Karwa Chauth, in which a wife fasts through day till moonrise for her husband's long life, falls on October 17.

READ | Karwa Chauth: How Kareena Kapoor Khan, Shilpa Shetty, Ayushmann Khurrana, Celebrated Traditional Custom