The Golden Chariot, the State’s luxury train, will be turned into a profit-making venture by launching tourist-centric tour packages and addressing the inadequacies in its operations.
Minister for Tourism and Sericulture S.R. Mahesh, during an inspection of the train on Wednesday, told reporters that the operations had suffered a loss of around ₹40 crore since its launch in 2008. “On an average, ₹4 crore loss every year.”
The service remains suspended since the train is getting a makeover with new interiors, at the Ashokapuram Railway Workshop here. “We are working on plans to make the train attractive for tourists, and generating more revenue with the same tariff will be our priority once the train gets the makeover and its operations resume,” the Minister said.
The train — operated by the Karnataka State Tourism Development Corporation in collaboration with the Indian Railways — has 44 luxury cabins, which can accommodate 88 travellers.
Its first commercial run was on March 10, 2008. There are two packages — Pride of the South and the Southern Splendour — besides a special run to Mysuru on the occasion of Dasara.
Pride of the South package covers the State’s best-known tourism destinations such as Mysuru, Kabini, Belur, Halebid, Hampi, Badami, and Aihole. The trip ends in Goa.
The Southern Splendour journey starts at Bengaluru, covering the historical temples of Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and backwaters of Kerala before returning to Bengaluru.
Heritage sites
On the restoration of heritage sites in the State, Mr. Mahesh said 1,200 sites and buildings under the ownership of the Union government as well as the State government had been declared as heritage properties.
Around 831 are under the State control and 400 in the possession of the Centre. There are over 25,000 properties that have not been given heritage status.
Waterfall tourism
Thanks to bountiful rains, the government is planning to celebrate waterfall tourism, starting with the one at Dhanuskoti at Chunchankatte in K.R. Nagar taluk which has come alive with the overflowing Cauvery.
Mr. Mahesh, who represents K.R. Nagar segment, said the date of ‘Jalapata Utsava’ would be announced soon after holding a meeting with the Deputy Commissioner of Mysuru, and other officials.
Tourism Secretary T.K. Anil Kumar, KSTDC Managing Director Kumar Pushkar, and Tourism Department Director Raju accompanied the Minister during his visit.
