Railways to run luxury train to attract NRIs, tourists
The train will travel to Amritsar, Anandpur Sahib, Chandigarh, Patiala, Kurukshetra, Agra, Delhi and Jaipur in its seven-day itinerary. Tips for a better travel experience
By PTI |
NEW DELHI: Aimed at attracting affluent tourists including NRIs, Railways in close coordination with Tourism Ministry and Punjab government have decided to introduce a luxury train covering popular destinations in Punjab and northern India.
The luxury train equipped with modern coaches and five-star facilities will travel to Amritsar, Anandpur Sahib, Chandigarh, Patiala, Kurukshetra, Agra, Delhi and Jaipur in its seven-day itinerary.
A MoU for the proposed train was signed today between Rail Ministry and Punjab government in the presence of Railways Minister Lalu Prasad, Tourism and Culture Minister Ambika Soni and Punjab Chief Minister Prakash Singh Badal.
Describing it as a significant step towards promotion of tourism, Prasad said the forex earnings are expected to increase through the operation of the luxury train.
Though Railways have earmarked two years time to make the train ready for operation, Lalu said, "We will try to make the train operational within a year."
Expressing his gratitude to the Rail Ministry, Badal said it was a historic day for Punjab as a long standing demand of the state has been fulfilled.
Responding to a request from Badal to reduce the train's haulage charge of Rs 20 lakh per trip, Lalu promised to look into it. "The haulage payment to Railways can be deferred for some time," Lalu said.
The luxury train equipped with modern coaches and five-star facilities will travel to Amritsar, Anandpur Sahib, Chandigarh, Patiala, Kurukshetra, Agra, Delhi and Jaipur in its seven-day itinerary.
A MoU for the proposed train was signed today between Rail Ministry and Punjab government in the presence of Railways Minister Lalu Prasad, Tourism and Culture Minister Ambika Soni and Punjab Chief Minister Prakash Singh Badal.
Describing it as a significant step towards promotion of tourism, Prasad said the forex earnings are expected to increase through the operation of the luxury train.
Though Railways have earmarked two years time to make the train ready for operation, Lalu said, "We will try to make the train operational within a year."
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Expressing his gratitude to the Rail Ministry, Badal said it was a historic day for Punjab as a long standing demand of the state has been fulfilled.
Responding to a request from Badal to reduce the train's haulage charge of Rs 20 lakh per trip, Lalu promised to look into it. "The haulage payment to Railways can be deferred for some time," Lalu said.
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