2nd 'Palace on Wheels' by Sept next: Tourism Minister

Jaipur, Jan 11: The second luxurious ''Palace on Wheels'' train is expected to start its run on heritage tourism circuit in Rajasthan in September later this year, Tourism Minister Usha Punia today said.Talking to reporters here, Ms Punia said, the coaches of the luxurious train were being made and furnished at the Integral Rail Coach Factory, Chennai, involving an estimated investment of Rs 39 crore.

The coaches and cabins would have more space, facilities and comfort on board as compared to the existing train presently operating on heritage tourism circuit, Rajasthan Tourism Development Corporation (RTDC) Managing Director Rakesh Saini said. This will reduce the capacity of the train from present 104 passengers to 82 passengers and, therfore, the fare for this train is expected to cost around 30 per cent more as compared to operating Palace on Wheels, Mr Saini said. The circuit route of the proposed train would almost be the same, he added.

UNI