Ever since Punjab chief minister Prakash Badal Singh launched Panj Takht Express, the Punjab Heritage and Tourism Promotion Board (PHTPB) has received more than 300 queries for the luxury train journey. If sources are anything to be believed, more than 35 out of 210 seats are already sold out.

Talking about the response for Panj Takht Express, VB Kumar, Managing Director, Punjab Heritage and Tourism Promotion Board (PHTPB) said “The response to the train-air combination for the five takhts has been overwhelming. The Union Ministry of Tourism is showcasing circuit in the India Road Show being held in Phoenix, Seattle and Vancouver from September 10 to 12.”

The tariffs of this five Takht journey are classified in terms of 72 first class and 138 second class AC tickets. For passengers beginning and ending journey from New Delhi, the cost of the ticket ranges between Rs. 90,000 to Rs. 1 lakh. Those starting and ending their journey from Amritsar will have to pay price between Rs.88, 000 to Rs. 97,000.

“The train, which the IRCTC has offered to be run on this circuit, is the one that runs on the Buddhist circuit. It is not a luxury train but an upgraded Rajdhani tourist train. The services are luxury class but the charges are affordable,” said CEO Sanjiv Trehaan.

Panj Takht Express is 6 days and 7 night’s journey and the biggest plus point of the maiden journey is that passengers will spend December 31 in Amritsar and welcome New Year on a holy note. “The second journey of the train on this circuit will start on March 17, 2013. The train will run twice during this financial year. However, if the response continues to be this good, we will increase the frequency,” said VB Kumar.