Steam heritage tourism to be promoted

The government today said steps will be taken to promote steam heritage tourism in the country.
"There is a tremendous potential in the steam heritage tourism segment and steps will be taken to boost it," Tourism Minister Sripad Yesso Naik said after inaugurating an exhibition on steam locomotives here.
Several photographs on steam locomotives from the early 1930s to the present day revived steam are on display.
Naik said the steam locomotives have tremendous potential to attract both domestic and international tourists.
Rewari Steam Loco Shed, restored with the guidance of steam railway experts from across the world, is currently home to a few steam locomotives by Railways. The Amritsar locomotive workshop is also equipped with the technology needed to restore these old engines.

Steam heritage is unique to India and there are thousands of steam enthusiasts who would love to see these revived locomotives, said Subhas Goyal, president of Indian Association of Tour Operators.
Indian Steam Railway Society working president Aswani Lohani said, "This is a niche tourism segment which is being actively supported by Tourism Ministry. If we get the support of Railway Ministry then this will become a prime tourism segment in the country.