The move is expected to improve travel convenience for passengers and strengthen rail connectivity between two major pilgrimage destinations — Pandharpur, associated with Lord Vitthal, and Tirupati, home to Lord Venkateswara, a statement said

As per an official statement, the action follows an incident reported on February 4, 2026, aboard Train No 12296 Sanghamitra Express, where several Indian passengers were found travelling on FT quota tickets without possessing the mandatory documents required for foreign nationals