Rated as among the top 10 luxury trains in the world, the Palace on Wheels is to get a second, more luxurious version soon.
The Palace on Wheels-2 is being introduced by Rajasthan Tourism Development Corporation (RTDC) in collaboration with Indian Railways, said tourism department officials.
"The proposal on Palace on Wheels-2 is being discussed. We expect the train by the end of the next tourist season in the state. The plan to launch another tourist train is being worked out keeping in mind the tremendous response received by the existing train," said Rakesh Saini, managing director RTDC.
"The new train would ply on the same route of the existing Palace on Wheels as the demand for this route is very high round the year. Owing to near-100 percent occupancy of the train, several tourists have to be turned away due to non availability of tickets," he added.
The new train - the most luxurious of the three - is expected to cost of Rs 250 million. Though the fare is still to be worked out, RTDC sources said tourists would have to fork out 20 per cent more than the existing Palace on Wheels.
According to sources, the charges in the existing train are $535, 385 and $315 per day for one, two and three tourists respectively. However, in the new train, tourists would have to pay 20 per cent extra.
{{/usCountry}}According to sources, the charges in the existing train are $535, 385 and $315 per day for one, two and three tourists respectively. However, in the new train, tourists would have to pay 20 per cent extra.
{{/usCountry}}The popularity of the existing train can be gauged from the fact that almost 98 per cent of the train has already been booked for the entire year.
The details for the new heritage train have been almost worked out by the RTDC and it would soon be sent for approval to the railway department, sources said.
The RTDC and the railway department would equally share the expenses for the new train.
The state also has another luxury tourist train - the meter gauge Heritage on Wheels.