Team Herald
PANJIM: The Maharajas’ Express – the most expensive, luxury train in the world – is likely to run along Goa’s tracks from September this year, with the Union Railway Ministry proposing to run the train in Western India to attract high-end tourists.
Stressing that there is ample scope for tourism development in Goa and the Konkan belt, Railways Minister Suresh Prabhu during his meeting with Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar, said that directions have been issued to Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) to extend the facility to the western region, covering Goa, Maharashtra and Kerala.
“Chief Minister welcomed the decision and requested that it be launched from the new tourism season,” a senior official who was at the meeting, said.
The Maharajas’ Express, was voted as ‘the world’s leading luxury train’ four times in a row at the World Travel Awards 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015. It runs on five circuits covering more than 12 destinations across north-west and central India, mainly centred on Rajasthan, between October and April.
During the meeting with Parrikar, Prabhu released a brochure titled ‘Three years’ achievement of Indian Railways that has dedicated a special section for Goa, which highlights the contribution of Konkan Railway Corporation Limited (KRCL).
It states that eight new trains, including Tejas Superfast Express, were introduced in Goa during the last three years of the Narendra Modi government which has helped increase the interest of tourists. “In a region abounding in tourist destination, Konkan Railway acts as a catalyst for growth attracting both domestic and foreign tourists,” states the brochure.
“The Konkan Railway has opened new frontiers for Indian tourism as the places of tourists’ interest in Goa now have better access,” claims the brochure.
The brochure also stated that the work of doubling the track has started. KRCL will also add 11 new stations and eight loop lines in the Goa region.
