Maharaja Express Chugs Out!
By Arnab, Gaea News NetworkSaturday, March 20, 2010
AHMEDABAD, INDIA (GaeaTimes.com)- Union Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee has announced several long distance superfast trains including her brainchild Duranto express, but her latest offering Maharaja Express is meant for, well, literally the Kings and emperors! It is going to begin its maiden run today and the minster will flag off the super luxury train from Kolkata Station. It is an initiative of the Indian Railways to woo back the foreign tourists with really deep pockets who want no compromise on luxury and comfort during travel. It is a collaboration between famous tour operator Cox & Kings and IRCTC.
The Maharaja express will offer the tourist facilities unprecedented in train travel in India. The coaches of the train has state of the art facilities like DVD players, LVD TV sets, web access and direct dial phone. The train will take the passengers to a week-long tour and cover places like Ranthambore, Jodhpur, Vadodara, Udaipur, Agra etc. Its journey will end in Mumbai. The train has a carrying capacity of 88 passengers. The tariff as one can expect is really steep and the wealthy lot can only think of traveling in this luxury train.
The Deluxe cabins in the Maharaja Express will cost one USD 800 a day. The presidential suit that offers maximum facilities is priced at USD 2,500 per day. The passengers will be served with exquisite Indian cuisines. The railway sector is hoping it will revive the interest in the European tourists to see the rich heritage of India and that is why the destinations of the train have been chosen carefully.
