A mint on the pillow from a five-star hotel on a rail journey? That may become a reality if a railway ministry plan to permit private companies to run luxury tourist trains is approved. According to the proposal, the railways would permit private companies to own coaches or lease them on payment of a haulage charge.
However, the railways would continue its monopoly over the locomotives. The model would be similar to the container train policy, where there is already private participation. Along with the coaches, the private company would also provide all services such as catering, housekeeping and entertainment.
The railways, however, is clear that private players would be permitted only in the luxury tourist train segment, not normal passenger train services.
This is for the first time since Independence that the railways would permit a private train to run on its network. At present, the two luxury trains run by the railways have a minimum fare of $240 per person: Palace on Wheels, which tours Rajasthan, and the Deccan Odyssey, which operates in Maharashtra.
The investment required is expected to be huge. While an indigenously manufactured AC First Class coach costs about Rs 1.10 crore, German made LHB coaches cost a hefty Rs 1.95 crore each. Given that luxury train coaches are custom made and have features like a conference room, library, bar and gyms, the costs would be higher still. And so will be the fares.