Date:13/01/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/01/13/stories/2007011324660200.htm

Karnataka - Bangalore

Luxury tourist train on cards

Staff Reporter

It will be on the lines of the `Palace on Wheels'

BANGALORE: The Indian Railway Tourism and Catering Corporation (IRCTC) will roll out a luxury tourist train on the lines of the "Palace on Wheels" in the Karnataka circuit in association with the Tourism Department by October.

This would be the first such train to be introduced in South India, said IRCTC South Zone Additional General Manager J. Vinayan.

Speaking at a workshop on "innovative tour packages from IRCTC" here on Wednesday, Mr. Vinayan said the coaches were being given final touches.

"The Southern Splendour," covering the southern States would be introduced next year, he added.

The corporation would also introduce the second "Palace on Wheels" in Rajasthan by mid 2008, Mr. Vinayan said.

This was in response to the overwhelming interest being shown by foreign tourists for the first "Palace on Wheels" which has been booked for the next four years.

The corporation would offer three Kerala tour packages from Bangalore from January 20, Mr. Vinayan said. Tourists booking for the package would be assured of rail reservation, and the package cost would include taxes, entrance fee and toll.

While the budget package is on a room-only basis with travel in sleeper class accommodation in trains and non-AC transport, the standard and deluxe packages will be on a bed and breakfast basis with AC III tier accommodation in trains and AC transport.

The packages cover tourist destinations such as Ernakulam, Munnar, Kumarakom, Thiruvananthapuram, Kovalam, Thekkady and Kanyakumari in five-day, six-day and seven-day tours.