Palace on Wheels-2 to chug in from this financial year

Palace on Wheels-2 is likely to be on the tracks before the end of this financial year in March. Sources in the tourism department said the officials of Rajasthan Tourism Development Corporation (RTDC) were in constant touch with railway officials on the matter.

The Palace on Wheels-2 is being introduced by Rajasthan Tourism Development Corporation (RTDC) in collaboration with Indian Railways.

"RTDC is trying that the new train comes soon on the tracks for which they are holding talks with railway authorities in Chennai," a source in RTDC said. The Union tourism ministry has already taken a decision to provide financial assistance for the to-be-launched Rs 30-crore luxury train Palace on Wheels-2.

The Union ministry would provide assistance under its 'Large Revenue Generating' scheme. As per the norms, large revenue generating project, which can be admissible for assistance under this scheme, should also be a tourist attraction, or used by tourists and generate revenue through a levy of fee or user charges on the visitors. Projects like tourist trains, cruise vessels, cruise terminals, convention centres and golf courses etc, would qualify for assistance.

A Delhi based company has been entrusted the task to design interiors of the Palace on Wheels-2. "A sum of Rs 7-8 crore is likely to be incurred on the interiors", sources said.

"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 almost 100 per cent 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 present charges in the existing train during peak season of October-March are $535, $385 and $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, a gym, channel music and steam bath facilities.