Corporate players may soon get to operate luxury trains
After allowing private participation in container trains, the Railways may soon allow corporate houses to operate their own luxury tourist trains.
After allowing private participation in container trains, the Railways may soon allow corporate houses to operate their own luxury tourist trains. Proposals from the Oberoi Group, Rajasthan Tourism, luxury rail service Oriental Express and Cox & Kings are being considered by the Railways under the proposed initiative, reports Rajat Guha in New Delhi.
So far, the Railways runs only the Palace on Wheels (POW) under a joint venture where it holds 49% equity. Wholly-owned private luxury trains would be first such venture. A senior Rail Bhawan official said the proposals for private rails are presently under consideration.
“The Oberoi Group has plans to run 7-star luxury train, a step ahead of operational POW. The tariff would be double the rates of POWs,” he said. The Oberois are also in talks with IRCTC to form a JV with them and run a luxury train in the Rajasthan circuit.
At present, the Railways operate two Palace on Wheels in Rajasthan circuit in collaboration with Rajasthan Tourism Development Corporation (RTDC). The venture is a 49:51 joint venture between the Indian Railways Catering and Tourism Corporation and RTDC. So far, the luxury trains only run in Rajasthan.
The new initiative is part expanding this enriching experience to other parts of the country. According to sources in the Rail Bhawan, the private luxury trains may make a start in states like Kerala, West Bengal, Bihar and Maharashtra before expanding its network.
So far, the Railways runs only the Palace on Wheels (POW) under a joint venture where it holds 49% equity. Wholly-owned private luxury trains would be first such venture. A senior Rail Bhawan official said the proposals for private rails are presently under consideration.
“The Oberoi Group has plans to run 7-star luxury train, a step ahead of operational POW. The tariff would be double the rates of POWs,” he said. The Oberois are also in talks with IRCTC to form a JV with them and run a luxury train in the Rajasthan circuit.
At present, the Railways operate two Palace on Wheels in Rajasthan circuit in collaboration with Rajasthan Tourism Development Corporation (RTDC). The venture is a 49:51 joint venture between the Indian Railways Catering and Tourism Corporation and RTDC. So far, the luxury trains only run in Rajasthan.
The new initiative is part expanding this enriching experience to other parts of the country. According to sources in the Rail Bhawan, the private luxury trains may make a start in states like Kerala, West Bengal, Bihar and Maharashtra before expanding its network.
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