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‘Malwa Odyssey’ planned on lines of ‘Palace on Wheels’

Bhopal: The Madhya Pradesh Government is considering a proposal to launch “Malwa Odyssey”, a luxury train on the lines of “Palace on Wheels” in Rajasthan, linking its tourist destinations with Bhopal.

A suggestion in this regard was first made by the Indian Heritage Hotels Association which submitted a detailed report to Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan last week on ways to boost tourism in the State.

The association has stressed on the need for running such a train, to attract domestic and foreign tourists, connecting Ujjain, Indore, Shivpuri, Gwalior, Satna, and Jabalpur with Bhopal.

The association in its Annual General Meeting (AGM) held here also submitted a list of heritage sites to be developed as hotels and resorts, saying it would open a huge tourism opportunity for the State.

Mr. Chouhan, who met Railway Minister Lalu Prasad and Tourism Minister Ambika Soni in New Delhi some time back, has sought Central assistance to boost tourism in Madhya Pradesh.

He also requested the railway minister for a rail ink for the historical sites in the state to provide easy access to places of tourist importance in Madhya Pradesh which are either untapped or did not get prominence due to lack of connectivity.

Mr. Chouhan, however said the State Government was doing its best to connect the destinations through road to facilitate entry of tourists, both Indian and foreigners, by road. Efforts were also being made to connect major tourist attractions including Sanchi, Khajurao, Gwalior, Pachmarhi, Datia, Jabalpur, Rewa, Tikamgarh, Mandu and Maihar (Satna).

The State Government was also planning a Son-et-Lumieere (light and sound) show at Mandu fort, Ujjain temples, old Taj Mahal at Bhopal, Islam Nagar fort near Bhopal in conjunction with INTACH or India Tourism Development Corporation.

Initiatives have also been taken to improve visitors management system at Mandu Fort, as well as at Sanchi, Orchha, Bhimbetka, Gwalior on the lines of Ajanta and Ellora caves, the official said.

The State Government was also considering to form a State-level Tourism Advisory Board, consisting of government departments and tourism industry stake holders, to promote tourist destinations through marketing and publicity materials, tourism friendly literature and signage’s in different languages.

Also to establish better connectivity to these places through train and air, by air taxi’s and helicopter services.

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‘Malwa Odyssey’ planned on lines of ‘Palace on Wheels’

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