BHUBANESWAR: In a bid to promote high-end tourism in Odisha, the State Government on Thursday explored the possibility of lunching a luxury train in line with ‘Palace on Wheels’ and ‘Maharajas’ Express’ with Indian Railways.
The issue was discussed with Additional Member (Tourism and Catering), Railway Board, Sanjiv Garg at a high level meeting chaired by Chief Secretary AP Padhi in the Secretariat here.The meeting deliberated on different aspects including the economy, administration, business and management of the cruise train service proposed to be launched in joint collaboration of Odisha Tourism Development Corporation (OTDC) and Indian Railways.
The Tourism department will prepare a feasibility report on the project taking into consideration all aspects including infrastructure facilities available in different tourist destinations of the State.With the existing infrastructure facilities and train connectivity, cruise train services to tourist destinations like Chandipur, Bhitarkanika, Similipal, Konarak, Puri, Chilika, Debrigarh and Buddhist circuits can be feasible, official sources said after the meeting.
Presently, Indian Railways operates a number of luxury trains which cater to various tourist circuits in Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Karanataka, Goa, Kerala, Uttar Pradesh and Assam. Plying of luxury trains has vastly improved the tourism potential of these States and attracted large number of foreign tourists.
Each cruise train has 20-22 coaches with at least 9 salons. The passenger capacity of each coach is about 88.
Since the luxury coaches are equipped with world class facilities including large dining, bar, lounge, generator, LCD TVs, internet connectivity, construction of one coach costs around `2.5 crore, the sources said.Principal Secretary, Forest and Environment, SC Mohapatra, Tourism Secretary Vishal Dev, Special Secretary of Commerce and Transport MK Mishra, Director of Tourism Nitin Bhanudas Jawale and other senior officers of the State Government and Railway Board participated in the deliberation.