Hyderabad: As per the directions given by the Ministry of Railways, South Central Railway is ready to introduce theme-based tourist circuit trains namely “Bharat Gaurav” Trains, which will be operated by private players. These trains are introduced with a view to showcasing India’s rich cultural heritage, magnificent historical places and important pilgrimage destinations to the people of India, in particular, and the world in general, which will help in boosting the tourism sector in India besides providing a hassle-free transportation facility to the rail users.
Any Private entity including individual, Partnership Firm, Company, Joint Ventures, etc can participate in this initiative. To give flexibility, the Private players have been given the option of deciding their business model for operating Bharat Gaurav Trains including themes, routes, itinerary, tariff and other attributes connected with the model.
Any interested participant can register through the Online facility at www. Indianrailways.gov.in, which will be processed within the time-bound span of 10 working days. The Registered Service Providers have the option of placing the demand for rakes as per their requirement (minimum of 14 coaches and maximum of 20 Coaches). For utilisation of Railways Infrastructure and Rolling Stock, the Service Provider would be charged for Right to Use Charges, Fixed and Variable Haulage Charges, Stabling Charges as per clear-cut policy guidelines. These trains will be treated on par with Mail/Express Trains.
In fact, in addition to giving flexibility of deciding their own Business Model, the Service Provider will also have the right towards Branding of Trains as well as making Third Party Advertising both inside and outside of the Coaches. Minor modification to the interior of the Coaches is also permitted within the safety protocols. In case of any further queries, interested Service Provider may contact R. Sudarshan, Chief Commercial Manager (Passenger Services), SCR at Rail Nilayam or email to: bharatgauravtrainsscr@gmail.com.
All requests by the Service Provider would be processed in a time-bound manner for early resumption of Service. In fact, a Customer Support Unit has been established at SCR Zonal Headquarters level for Easing the Engagement with the Customers and to support the interested Service Provider with issues like timely response timely allotment of Coaches, Maintaining the condition of Coaches, etc.SCR General Manager Gajanan Mallya appealed to the Service Providers to utilise the opportunity to take up the task of running the theme-based tourist circuit trains “Bharat Gaurav”, as it will be a win-win situation to all – Railways, Private Participants as well as the Customers. He observed that SCR has many locations over its network which has a rich cultural heritage, magnificent historical places and important pilgrimage destinations which can be connected by the Bharat Gaurav Trains for passengers’ benefit. (INN)