Railways seeks private participation to run tourist trains and packages

Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw says power to price tickets for these services will vest with concessionaire that runs them

The Indian Railways has sought participation from state governments, private players, and public sector undertakings to operate around 150 tourism-focused trains. Speaking to journalists, Rail Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said that this will treated as a new revenue segment for the Indian Railways.

“Traditionally, the Indian Railways eyed passenger and freight earnings. This time the focus is on developing a segment for tourism as well,” Vaishnaw said, adding that the power to price tickets for these tourist services will vest with the concessionaire that operates them.

“We have to look at this from beyond the traditional view about Railway operations such