In a step towards further corporatisation of the railways, the Centre on Tuesday announced a dedicated train service to ‘promote and enhance’ the tourism and culture of the country by putting in a set of about 150 theme-based trains called Bharat Gaurav trains.

Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said these trains could be run both by the private sector as well as the railway’s tourism and catering arm IRCTC.

“These are not regular trains that will be run on timetables. We have identified 3,033 coaches or 190 trains for these theme-based trains. After passenger and goods segments, we will start the tourism segment to run Bharat Gaurav trains. These trains will showcase India’s culture and heritage. We have invited applications for them from today,” Vaishnaw said addressing a Press conference.

Bharat Gaurav trains are a segment of trains that aims to give people an authentic way to experience India’s culture, heritage, diversity, according to a Press statement.

The minister further said that the idea originated from Prime Minister Narendra Modi who suggested theme-based trains so that people in the country can understand, appreciate and take forward India’s heritage.  He also said the fare of these trains would be practically decided by tour operators but the railways will ensure that there is no abnormality in the prices.

Vaishnaw mentioned that State Governments like Odisha, Rajasthan, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu have shown interest in these trains and the very concept was framed after due consultations from several rounds of meetings by various stakeholders.

The Minister said for instance that these trains the rolling stock and path to be provided by the Indian railways network will be handed over to private parties for instance like Make My Trip etc who will have the sole right to decide on the fare tariff as well. He explained any tour operator or even state tourism departments can take as many trains as they want, as per their business plan and they can then modify it accordingly depending on the tour plan.

He further said that the Indian Railways will offer assistance related to maintenance, parking, water supply and raw materials for food as and when required.

Speaking about fares, Vaishnaw said that tour operators will decide on fares but the Indian Railways will ensure that abnormal fees are not charged to travellers. Vaishnaw pointed out that all kinds of coaches—Vistadome, Vande Bharat or Tejas etc—can be used for these trains and the Indian Railways will try to cater to these demands as much as possible.