Date:15/12/2002 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2002/12/15/stories/2002121501370700.htm

National

Royal sojourn signals revival of 'Palace-on-Wheels'

By Sandeep Joshi

NEW DELHI DEC. 14. A new chapter is being added to the two-decade-long history of the country's most luxurious train "Palace-on-Wheels'': it has a royal family aboard on a week-long sojourn.

The event is viewed as a sign of revival of this special train's fortunes which suffered a setback in the wake of the September 11 terrorist attacks in the United States last year. The ticket sales this year have been very encouraging.

It was only a week ago that employees of the Rajasthan Tourism Development Corporation at Bikaner House here got a letter from Jaipur, informing them of the travel plans of Bhutan's royal family on "Palace-on-Wheels" and directing that proper protocol be followed during the visit. The 16-member royal entourage comprising the Queen Mother, Ashi Kesang Wangmo Wangchuck, boarded the train on Dec. 11 at the Delhi Cantonment station.

The guests of honour have been given three exclusive coaches — Jaisalmer, Jhalawar and Jodhpur — named after Rajasthan's erstwhile princely States having four twin-bed chambers decorated in ethnic Rajasthani decor. These saloons are next to two lavish restaurants, "The Maharaja'' and "The Maharani'' where Continental, Chinese, mainstream Indian and Rajasthani cuisines are served.

"It was the visitors' wish to get their saloons booked close to restaurants. Everything is fine and care is being taken that the royal guests get the best treatment,'' said an RTDC official.

A joint project of the Union Ministry of Railways and RTDC, the concept of Palace-on-Wheels was derived from the royal background of coaches which were originally meant to be personal saloons for rulers of the princely States of Rajputana, Gujarat, the Nizam of Hyderabad and the Viceroy of British India.

The train will take the guests to Jaipur, Jaisalmer, Jodhpur; Ranthambhor National Park, Chittorgarh, Udaipur, Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary, Fatehpur Sikri and the Taj Mahal in Agra.

Noting that this year, the season for the train has been good with around 50 per cent bookings already, Mr. Bhatt said bookings were going up and travel queries pouring in at the RTDC office here from different parts of the world.