Deccan Odyssey set to break even
Deccan Odyssey, billed as one of the most expensive luxury trains of India, is likely to break even this year and could also start raking profit by next year.
By Chandran Iyer, PTI |
MUMBAI: Deccan Odyssey, billed as one of the most expensive luxury trains of India, is likely to break even this year and could also start raking profit by next year, a senior official of Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC) said.
The luxury train, which is a joint venture of the Ministry of Railways and the Maharashtra government, was running in losses because of low passenger intake and high overheads.
"We hope to break even by this year end and are also optimistic that this train would start generating profit," MTDC managing director and tourism secretary, Bhushan Gagrani said.
The Deccan Odyssey became operational in 2003. It was started as Maharashtra’s counterpart to Rajasthan’s Palace on Wheels.
If the Palace on Wheels tried to recreate the magic of Rajputana era, the Deccan Odyssey attempted to introduce the legacy of the Marathas. It takes around 80 passengers on a tour to Goa and north western parts of Maharashtra.
"Running a luxury train like Deccan Odyssey is not an easy affair as the overheads are very high. It is not meant for the masses but only for the classes who have deep pockets. Hence, even though the response is good, it takes time to break even. The Palace on Wheels took seven years to break even. But we are taking much lesser time," Mr Gagrani said.
The week-long Deccan Odyssey tour includes several exotic destinations — Mumbai, Ganpatipule, Ratnagiri, Sindhudurg, Goa, Pune, Aurangabad, Ajanta and Ellora.
The luxury train, which is a joint venture of the Ministry of Railways and the Maharashtra government, was running in losses because of low passenger intake and high overheads.
"We hope to break even by this year end and are also optimistic that this train would start generating profit," MTDC managing director and tourism secretary, Bhushan Gagrani said.
The Deccan Odyssey became operational in 2003. It was started as Maharashtra’s counterpart to Rajasthan’s Palace on Wheels.
If the Palace on Wheels tried to recreate the magic of Rajputana era, the Deccan Odyssey attempted to introduce the legacy of the Marathas. It takes around 80 passengers on a tour to Goa and north western parts of Maharashtra.
"Running a luxury train like Deccan Odyssey is not an easy affair as the overheads are very high. It is not meant for the masses but only for the classes who have deep pockets. Hence, even though the response is good, it takes time to break even. The Palace on Wheels took seven years to break even. But we are taking much lesser time," Mr Gagrani said.
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The week-long Deccan Odyssey tour includes several exotic destinations — Mumbai, Ganpatipule, Ratnagiri, Sindhudurg, Goa, Pune, Aurangabad, Ajanta and Ellora.
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