Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagged off the Pravasi Bharatiya Express, a special tourist train for the Indian diaspora, in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, on January 9, 2025. This date commemorates Mahatma Gandhi's return to India from South Africa in 1915.

The Pravasi Bharatiya Express is designed specifically for the Indian diaspora and will cater to "Persons of Indian Origin" (PIOs) aged 45-65, with priority given to low-income PIOs. The train can accommodate 156 passengers and will travel across prominent tourist and religious destinations in India for three weeks, starting from Safdarjung Railway Station in New Delhi.

Organized under the Pravasi Teerth Darshan Yojana (PTDY) in collaboration with the IRCTC, the train will visit locations such as Ayodhya, Patna, Gaya, Varanasi, Mahabalipuram, Rameswaram, Madurai, Kochi, Goa, Ekta Nagar, Ajmer, Pushkar, and Agra.

Ticket prices will be partially covered by the Indian government, with PIOs contributing only 10% of their return airfare. PM Modi also inaugurated four exhibitions and participated in the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas event, focusing on strengthening India’s bond with its diaspora.