The Hindu : Karnataka News : Golden Chariot to chug out of Chennai

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Thursday, Jan 24, 2008
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Karnataka

Karnataka

Golden Chariot to chug out of Chennai

Staff Reporter

Pratibha Patil likely to flag off the train from Yeshwanthpur

The train likely to arrive in Bangalore on Friday
Its soft furnishings to be done at Byappanahalli

CHENNAI/BANGALORE: As a prelude to the launch of the special luxury tourist train by the Karnataka State Tourism Development Corporation (KSTDC) on March 3, the Integral Coach Factory (ICF) unveiled the Golden Chariot on Wednesday. The much awaited luxury train, which will pamper the well heeled during its sojourn throughout the State like its counterparts Deccan Odyssey and Palace on Wheels, will finally arrive in Bangalore on Friday.

The formal ceremony was held in Chennai where senior officials of the Indian Railways, including General Manger of Integral Coach Factory Sabitha Gopal, and Karnataka Tourism officials, including Principal Secretary of Tourism Department I.M. Vittalmurthy and Managing Director of KSTDC Prashanth Thakur, were present.

The train will leave for Bangalore on Friday after undergoing the mandatory pit testing at Basin Bridge junction in Chennai, and the soft furnishing for the train will be done at Byappanahalli in Bangalore. Sources said the work in Bangalore would take seven to 10 days after which the trial runs would be conducted.

The train consists of 11 cabin cars (10 tourists each), two restaurant cars, a bar-cum-conference hall, a gym car, a staff car and two power cars.

Speaking to The Hindu, Mr. Vittalmurthy said: “I am elated as it is an important tourism product to happen for Karnataka. Tourists will have an amazing experience travelling on the train to some of the best destinations in the State.”

Presidential flag-off?

Sources said President Prathiba Patil could flag off the first commercial run of the Golden Chariot from Yeshwanthpur railway station.

“The President has a few engagements lined up in Bangalore in the first week of March, and we are hopeful to get her nod for the flagging off ceremony,” sources said.

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