Karanataka all set to run its own 'Palace on Wheels'

New Delhi, Aug 17 (UNI) The government today said it had approved a proposal of the Karnataka government to run a luxury tourist train on the line of 'Palace on Wheels', which is likely to become operational in the tourist season 2007-08.

''Approval has been given by the Railway Ministry to run a luxury tourist train in the Karnataka,'' Minister of State for Railways R Velu informed the Rajya Sabha in a written reply.

He said the tentative itinerary of the train is Bangalore, Srirangapatnam, Mysore, Shravanabelagola, Hassan, Hospet, Gadag, Vasco/Dabolin and back to Bangalore.

The manufacturing of the coaches is almost complete and the train is likely to become operational in tourist season 2007-08.

The primary objective of the Karnataka government behind launching the train is to convert business travellers to the IT city of Bangalore into tourists.

This will be South India's first five-star luxury train covering various tourist destinations of the state and Goa.

The train, which is likely to have 19 coaches, has a capacity of 110 passengers, and will provide every possible luxury on the wheels, including conferencing, Internet connectivity, gymnasium and a spa lounge.

Karnataka Tourism Secretary Vittala Murthy, who had visited the national capital some months ago, had told newspersons that the trial run would start from October.

The train, having an ambience of royal heritage of Karnataka, also has a library, both in physical and digital form.

Mr Murthy said the project, conceived five years ago, was now taking off through collaborative efforts between Indian Railway Caterting and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) and the Karnataka State Tourism Development Corporation.

The luxury train, as planned, will start a round trip from Bangalore taking the tourists around the best tourist spots of the state for six nights and seven days.

It will touch Mysore, the city of palaces, the rich architectural Somanathpur, Halebid and Belur temples andthe Wildlife Sanctuary of Dandeli in Western Ghats.

The train will also link two world heritage sites -- Badami, the capital of early Chalukyas, besides Aihole and Pattadkal temples, and Hampi, the seat of Vijaynagar Empire.

The tourists will also be able to see the tallest Bahubali idol at Shravana Belagola, a Jain pilgrimage centre.

About the cost of week long travel, Mr Murthy had said it was being worked out and the exact cost would be known after receiving inputs from the IRCTC, which is to offer hospitality facilities.

The passengers will have the advantage of choosing from a variety of sumptuous delicacies, including those from Karnataka.

The bookings are to be done on the Internet to ensure transparency.

He also said the state was not averse to the prospect of the train being used for wedding and honeymoon special packages.

UN SKS VD HS1545