Indian Railways will be launching a completely new segment- Bharat Gaurav trains to boost tourism across India

Indian Railways has announced the introduction of theme-based tourist circuit trains Bharat Gaurav Trains. 

“These trains will help realise the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to showcase India’s rich cultural heritage and magnificent historical places to the people of India and the world,” Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said.

To promote and attract tourism business, the Indian Railways Tuesday launched Bharat Gaurav trains that will be operated by private players and run on theme-based circuits.

Through this policy, which offers operators the “Right of Use” of its rakes and infrastructure, the Railways has liberalised and simplified a part of operations that was otherwise carried out mostly by the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC). While any entity can run these trains, including state governments, it is implied that the policy is targeted at tour operators.

These trains will help realise the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to showcase India’s rich cultural heritage and magnificent historical places to the people of India and the world,” Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said.

Following are some salient features of Bharat Gaurav trains scheme:
Indian Railways will offer service providers the “Right to Use” of its rakes as well as infrastructure.

Tour operators who are interested including Individuals, Company, Partnership firm, Society, Trust, Consortium, Joint Venture, Government Agencies can register themselves for running train services under the website www.bharatgauravtrains.indianrailways.gov.in by choosing the concerned zonal railway. The operator has to pay registration fee of Rs 1 Lakh.

The operator will be provided ‘right to use’ for a minimum period of two years and a maximum period upto the coaches’ residual codal life.
The operator can also directly purchase coaches from Indian Railways’ manufacturing units under NRC scheme.

Operators can decide business model as well as tariff based o­n the level of services for these trains.
An all-inclusive package will be provided by the operator to tourists including hotel accommodation, rail travel, visit historical/heritage sites, sightseeing arrangement, tour guides etc.

Advertisements and branding are allowed both inside and outside of the train.

The rake composition shall be a minimum of 14 coaches to a maximum of 20 coaches including two SLRs(Guard Vans).

Coaches’ allotment will be done to all eligible applicants or registerd operator subject to availability.

The operators can opt for unfurnished coaches and can furnish as per their requirements such as making suite or saloon or any other specific tourist need.