ROLE OF RAILWAYS IN TOURISM

Submitted byWILSON TOM

INTRODUCTION• Lifeline of the Nation• performance since the last 150 years.• largest railway network in Asia, largest railway system

under a single management.• The best way to see India is through the Indian Railways.• Mountainous terrain or the long stretches through the

Rajasthan desert, Indian railways cover every part of India.

• By introducing new trains like Rajdhani and Shatabdhi express with all amenities and comfort.

• Trains like palace on wheels, deccan odesseys, etc is making tourist to feel indian culture while travelling.

HISTORY• 1853 first railway train journeyed

distance of 22 miles between Bombay and Thane.

• Originallyoperated by private companies Englishmen.

• 1925-1950 GOI took over the private railway companies.

• in 1985 the diesel and electric locomotives took the place of steam locomotives.

• 1995, the whole railway reservation system was rationalized with computerization.

NATIONAL RAIL MUSEUM

• In 1977 to display the glorious heritage of indian railway.

• collection of 75 real exhibits, including vintage steam, diesel and electric locomotives, coaches and wagons dating back to 1855.

• fairy queen of 1855• museum is located in the setting

of a spruse garden of flowers, shurbs, trees and lawns.

• attracts around 3lakh visitors every year.

BUDGET

• In partnership with ministry of tourism, station improvement is planned on 50:50 cost sharing basis at 24 station.

• introduction of special tourist trains called JANAM BHOOMI GAURAV to be introduced on four routes.

• new prtal for e-ticketing.• introduction of new super AC class of travel.• 3 new shtabdis to be introduced.• AC double decker services to be introduced on Jaipur-

Delhi and Ahmedabad-Mumbai routes.

Railways And Tourism

• No one offers the multi-dimensional magic of the real India more excitingly than the Indian Railways.

• The Royal trains like palace on wheels and golden chariot train offers both luxury and signifies the rich culture of our country.

• These royal trains are well costomised trip which gives the tourist detailed picture of the particular state.

• The slow yet steady track takes the tourists through the lows of the Indian Desert and the highs of the Aravalli range.

• The toy trains of India have attracted many a tourists. The ride on the train through the popular hill stations of Shimal, Darjeeling, Ooty are really mezmerizing one.

Segments of Rail Tourism

PALACE ON WHEELS• The most luxurious and lavish train of India.• joint venture of the Rajasthan Tourism Development Corporation, Indian

Railways, the State Government of Rajasthan and the Government of India.• A week-long trip starts from Delhi cantonment and all the way through

colorful city of Jaipur, exotic land of Chittaurgarh, Lake City of Udaipur, Ranthambore National Park, Jaisalmer, Jodhpur, Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary, red stone city of Fatehpur Sikri and Taj Mahal at Agra.

• It has been designed to suit the modern needs with centralized AC, soothing four channel music, interconnected telephone system in the train, a separate pantry and lounge in each coach, comfortable coupes with the privacy of attached bathrooms,

• two specialty restaurants - 'Maharaja' and 'Maharani', serving exotic Indian, Continental and Rajasthani cuisine, a well stocked bar,

• a reading and relaxing coach and friendly smiling attendants serving round the clock.

DECCAN ODYSSEY

• Established to boost tourism on the Konkan route.• can accommodate 104 passengers at a time.• Deccan Odyssey's journey begins in Mumbai, following Ratnagiri, Sindhudurg, Goa,

Belgaum, Kolhapur, Pune, Nashik, Aurangabad, Ajanta-Ellora and again back to Mumbai, covering some of the remarkable tourist destinations of Maharashtra and Goa.

• joint venture of the Government of Maharashtra and the Ministry of Railways.• train is no less than a 5-star hotel on wheels.• A spa saloon, six-channel music,TV, DVD, massage-cum-beauty parlour, cyber cafe,

a bar, sauna bath, Gymnasium, Library, Money exchange facility, Credit cards, Conference Lounge Car, business centre along with two lavish restaurants.

• facility to regulate the temperature in each cabin according to the individual preferences. The onboard services are administered by the staff of Taj Group of Hotels.

• leaves from Mumbai station every Wednesday heading for other destinations.

HERITAGE ON WHEELS• is an eternal part that was designed on the lines

of famous 'Palace on Wheels'.• The Heritage on Wheels is no less than a moving

palace that creates a royal ambiance to make its passengers feel special.

• The train 'Heritage on Wheels' embarks on an enthralling journey, covering the places like Bikaner, Sekhawati and presenting the real intoxicating flavor of the imperial Rajasthan.

• From Jaipur, the 'Heritage on Wheels' runs twice a week to set on a marvelous trip of three nights and four days.

• This luxury train was specially craned to promote tourism and to offer impeccable services along with comfort to the tourists. In its rich and royal ambience, the train is pleasantly attractive with paintings.

THE FAIRY QUEEN• The Fairy Queen - the oldest working

steam locomotive in the world (built in 1855).

• consisting of two coaches with 60 passengers from Delhi Cantonment to Alwar on a two-day package tour.

• which includes a visit to the Sariska National Park.

• The train has only one AC coach and offers a picturesque vista of the landscape.

• Generally, this locomotive works on the 2nd and the 4th Saturday between the months of October and March.

RAJDHANI EXPRESS

• Rajdhani Express is one amongst the fastest train services in India.

• In 1969, Rajdhani Express was commenced to provide high-speed connections from different railway stations of New Delhi to several state capitals and important cities of India.

• Now Indian Railways has 15 pairs of Rajdhani Express trains.

• Rajdhani Express trains have fully air-conditioned coaches, where passengers are offered comfort along with delicious meals.

SHATABDI EXPRESS

• Shatabdi Express is a superfast passenger train connecting the major cities, metro towns and business centers.

• The regular speed of these trains is known to be 130 kilometers per hour.

• Shatabdi Express is an intercity train that doesn't cover long distances.

• Fully air-conditioned, these trains maintain high standard as compared to the regular Indian trains. The passengers on Shatabdi are offered snacks, meals, coffee, tea, mineral water, juice, etc. on board.

HIMALAYAN RAILWAYS• The Indian Railways has

introduced certain trains with affordable rates for the tourist.

• Kalka - Shimla Railway• Matheran Light Railway• Kangra Valley Railway• DARJEELING TOY TRAIN• Offers tourists a breathtaking view

of the Himalayan peaks, snow -capped mountains, inviting trails, the heady fragrance of flowers, and a wonderful opportunity to take in all these leisurely in beautiful toy train

NILGIRI MOUNTAIN RAILWAY• Runs in the Nilgiri Hills of India.• This toy train links the city of Mettupalayam with the renowned hill

station of Ooty in Tamil Nadu.• Train has been credited as the World Heritage Site by UNESCO that

brought Nilgiri Train amongst the rare and unique railways of the world.

• opened by the British in 1899.• The NMR covers a comfortable distance of 46 km (28 miles) traveling

all the way through 208 curves, 16 tunnels and 250 bridges.• Nilgiri Toy Train looks marvelous with a tint of blue and cream with

wooden coaches.• For safety reasons, the train runs at an average speed of 10.4 km per

hour, making it the slowest train of India.

OVERALL IMPACT ON TOURISM

• It is predicted that travel and tourism will be one of the world's highest growth sectors in the new century.

• The railways are now keen to stimulate travel and to improve the system.

• Railway companies are trying to make travel as comfortable as possible for the travellers by introducing more and more amenities and facilities.

• Introduction of the Royal trains like palace on wheels and golden chariot train offers both luxury and signifies the rich culture of our country.

• With the help of mountain trains tourist are able to explore the mountains and countrside in a unique way.

SUGGESTION

• privatization of indian railway will definitly do good for the tourism sector.

• More proper security should be installed in railway station and surrounding.

• Clean trains, stations and surrounding will make good impression to foreign tourist.

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