Bharat Gaurav Trains: Southern Railway Gets First Registered Service Provider

Southern Railway becomes the first zone in Indian Railways to get the first Registered service provider under the ‘Bharat Gaurav Trains’ Scheme. A Chennai based service provider who had registered in the designated portal and received approval from Southern Railway after verification of the document. As and when this service provider registers the demand online specifying the type and number of coaches Southern Railway will allot the rake/train on Right to use basis for specified number of years. The rake shall be used by the service provider in running thematic tour as per itinerary approved by Railway.

Bharat Gaurav Trains

Indian Railways have introduced “Bharat Gaurav Trains” with effect from 23.11.2021, with the sole objective of showcasing India’s rich cultural heritage and magnificent historical places to the people of India and the world, through Bharat Gaurav trains. Under this first-of-its-kind scheme, the Railways will offer operators (service providers), the “Right to Use” of its rakes. The Railways aims to leverage the core strengths of the professionals of the tourism sector to run these theme based trains with a view to tap the vast tourist potential of India.

SALIENT FEATURES OF BHARAT GAURAV TRAINS SCHEME

· The Railways will offer operators the “Right to Use” of its rakes and infrastructure.

Interested tour operators including Individuals, Partnership firm, Company, Society, Trust, Joint Venture, Consortium, Government Agencies can register themselves for operating trains under this scheme website www.bharatgauravtrains.indianrailways.gov.in.by choosing the concerned zonal railway. Registration fee of ₹1 (One) Lakh to be paid.

· The ‘right to use’ to be provided for a minimum period of two (02) years and a maximum period upto the residual codal life of coaches.

· The service provider can also purchase coaches directly from Railway’s manufacturing units under Non Railway Customer (NRC) scheme.

· Service providers will be at liberty to decide business model and tariff based on the level of services for these trains.

· Service Provider to offer an all-inclusive package to tourists including rail travel, hotel accommodation, sightseeing arrangement, visit historical/heritage sites, tour guides etc.

· Branding and advertisements are permitted both inside and outside of the train.

· The composition of rake shall be a minimum of 14 coaches to maximum of 20 coaches including mandatory 2 SLRs(Guard Vans).

· Allotment of coaches will be done to all eligible applicants/registerd service provider subject to availability. Priority of allotment will be based on the timing and date of payment of Rake Security Deposit. Rake Security Deposit of ₹1 (one) Crore per rake is to be submitted in the form of Performance Bank Guarantee.

The service providers can also opt for unfurnished coaches and can furnish as per their needs like making suite or saloon or any other specific tourist need.