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Luxury on wheels

Rajasthan is set to woo tourists with world-class trains

FOR A ROYAL TREAT The luxury train

Rajasthan is all set to offer more luxuries to tourists. The Tourism Ministry of Rajasthan has taken a step in this direction with a new hotel policy, the launch of Palace on Wheels-II and a royal luxury train. Announcing the policy, Vinod Zutshi, Secretary, Tourism, Rajasthan said, "The new policy is to introduce special reserve price and incentive packages for hotels in Rajasthan. Besides, the Rajasthan Tourism Development Corporation is working on adding to the existing Palace on Wheels. Called Palace on Wheels-II and Heritage on Wheels, these two luxury lines will start running on broad gauge by 2008. A tourist wishing to enjoy a merry royal ride will need to pay between $ 150-$300."

Talking about tourism development in Rajasthan, Zutshi said, "The RTDC is working towards developing hotels and tourist sites. At present, we operate 45 units including hotels, motels, yatrikas and cafeterias with the available capacity of 914 rooms and transport centres."

The travellers will be given the finest amenities inside the running cars. The Palace on Wheels has 14 deluxe saloons with wall-to-wall carpeting, magnificent interiors, two plush dining cars and a car with exotic drinks from all over the world with personalised service. One can get royal treatment aboard the train, which will stop at Delhi, Jaipur, Jaisalmer, Jodhpur, Chittorgarh, Udaipur, Agra and Bharatpur.

Heritage on Wheels has already been running on the Bikaner-Shekhawati Circuit since this February. It has nine luxury saloons with two restaurant cars and a bar-cum-lounge car. This train can accommodate 72 passengers with a possibility of 36 extra beds.

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