Bengaluru: The State Government has given its nod in principle to operate the state’s first Bharat Gaurav train. The Department of Religious Endowments, Government of Karnataka, has registered as a Service Provider with South Western Railway, depositing a registration fee of Rs. 1 lakh under this scheme.
Bharat Gaurav trains are theme-based tourist circuit trains that showcase India’s rich cultural heritage and magnificent historical sites to Indians and visitors from across the world. Indian Railways (IR) will offer registered Service Providers rakes consisting of ICF coaches under the ‘Right to Use’ model for operations of Bharat Gaurav Trains under this policy.
According to sources, the Service Provider under the ‘Right to Use’ model is free to choose the business model, which includes themes (such as the Ramayan circuit or the Kashi Yatra), routes, schedules, tariffs, and other attributes. They can also use the coaches to market and brand themselves by refurbishing the interiors of the coaches based on the theme (Both interior and exterior, including by third-party).
The service provider can own the rake (the train’s set of coaches) for a minimum of two years and until the coaches’ residual time expires. Railway staff would be In-Charge of the train’s actual operation and safety-related technical maintenance.
South Western Railway will expedite the planning and finalisation of the detailed proposal (coach configuration, itinerary, stoppages, and so on) in a timely manner, as well as alternate routes in the case of rail route congestion requested by the Service provider.
The train’s route, fare, and coach composition will be worked out soon.
