President flags off 'Golden Chariot'
Bangalore,
Feb
2:
Underscoring
the
need
to
encourage
domestic
tourism
and
enhance
the
flow
of
tourists
to
India,
President
Pratibha
Patil
on
Saturday
flagged
off
Karnataka's
first
luxury
train,
"Golden
Chariot" here.
"By
promoting
tourism
to
these
great
historical
and
cultural
sites,
we
will
be
giving
the
world
the
chance
to
see
the
greatness
and
glory
achieved
during
their
(Vijayanagar
Empire)
reign,"
President
Patil
said
at
the
flag-off
of
the
luxury
train.
"It is fortunate and a joy that the "Golden Chariot" train is commencing. This was a long cherished desire of the State, which has been fulfilled," she added. Starting from Bengaluru, the train, which has 19 thematically designed coaches, will take tourists to Mysore, Kabini, Hassan, Hospet, Goa and then return to Bengaluru on the seventh day.
Watch Video
"This
seven-day
journey
will
be
like
a
travel
through
the
history
and
culture
of
Karnataka,
which
is
rich
and
varied,"
the
President
said.
She went on to say that the "Golden Chariot" would open up many parts of the State - the famous places as also the smaller places to tourists.
Designed based on ancient Karnataka history, it is also equipped with modern facilities like plasma TV, and wi-fi facility.
The coaches of the train have been named after the dynasties that ruled Karnataka -- Kadamba, Hoysala, Rastrakuta, Ganga, Chalukya, Bhahamani, Adhilshahi, Sangama, Shathavahna, Yudukula and Vijayanagara.
Commenting on the role of the Indian Railways in tourism, President Patil said that it a very important role in linking different parts of the country.
"It has a vast network of infrastructure and transports on an average about 16 million passengers every day. It has played a major part in promoting tourism in India," she added.
ANI