Second Palace on Wheels on track by December
"Palace on Wheels-2" is likely to be on the tracks from the
coming tourist season this year. The train is expected to be launched
by December this year.
Sources in the tourism department said the officials of Rajasthan
Tourism Development Corporation (RTDC) are holding talks with railway
officials in Chennai from today.
As per sources various issues including the speeding up of the coach
manufacturing process would be addressed in the meeting. "RTDC is trying that the new train comes soon on the tracks for which
they are holding talks with railway authorities in Chennai", sources
in RTDC said
A Delhi based company has been entrusted the task to design interiors
of Palace on Wheels-2, which. "A sum of Rs 7-8 crores is likely to be incurred on the interiors",
sources said.
The Palace on Wheels-2 is being introduced by Rajasthan Tourism
Development Corporation (RTDC) in collaboration with Indian Railways. "The plan to launch another tourist train is being worked out keeping
in mind the tremendous response received by the existing Palace on
Wheels and we expect that with the launch of this train tourism in
Rajasthan would certainly get a boost," officials in RTDC said.
"Owing to near-100 percent occupancy of the existing train, several
tourists have to be turned away due to non-availability of tickets.
But with this train planned we would be able to offer more seats to
the tourists," officials added.
It will run on the same route as the existing one, covering Jaipur,
Jodhpur, Jaisalmer, Chittorgarh, Udaipur, Swai Madhopur, Bharatpur and
Agra, in a seven-night tour starting and ending in New Delhi.
Though the fare is still to be worked out, RTDC sources said, the fare
on the new train would be around 20-30 percent more than the existing
Palace on Wheels that is estimated to cost around Rs 30 crores.
The charges in the existing train during peak season of October-March
are US $535, 385 and US $315 per day for one, two and three tourists
respectively.
The new Palace on Wheels will offer more luxuries. A dance floor, a
massage centre and conference halls are being considered.
The train would also have special suites, mini bars, and a gym,
channel music and steam bath facilities.
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