Indian Railways has announced introduction of theme based, tourist circuit trains named ‘Bharat Gaurav’ to showcase India’s rich cultural heritage and history to the world. 190 such trains, to be operated on lease by private players and state entities such as tourism departments and Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC), have been approved. The ministry has identified 3,033 coaches for Bharat Gaurav trains, railways minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said on Tuesday.
“We have allocated trains for ‘Bharat Gaurav’ and 3033 coaches have been identified. We will start taking applications from today. We have received good response. Stakeholders will modify and run the trains and the Railways will help in its maintenance, parking and other facilities,” Vaishnaw said.
Each pair of Bharat Gaurav trains will have 14 to 16 coaches including two guard vans. The minister also said that states like Odisha, Rajasthan, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu have shown interest in…