Lok Sabha Question No. 2947 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-12-15
Subject: Fund Allocation for Bharat Gaurav Train
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Heena Vijaykumar Gavit, Harish Dwivedi, Bheemrao Baswanthrao Patil, Shrikant Eknath Shinde, Sujay Radhakrishna Vikhepatil, Kotha Prabhakar  Reddy, Sambhajirao Mane Dhairyasheel, P. Ravindhranath, Raghu Ramakrishna Raju Kanumuru, Unmesh Bhaiyyasaheb Patil

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2947

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 15.12.2021

## FUND ALLOCATION FOR BHARAT GAURAV TRAIN

2947.  DR. HEENA GAVIT:

SHRI HARISH DWIVEDI:

SHRI B.B. PATIL:

DR. SHRIKANT EKNATH SHINDE:

DR. SUJAY RADHAKRISHNA VIKHE PATIL:

SHRI KOTHA PRABHAKAR REDDY:

SHRI DHAIRYASHEEL SAMBHAJIRAO MANE:

SHRI P RAVINDHRANATH:

SHRI KANUMURU RAGHU RAMA KRISHNA RAJU:

SHRI UNMESH BHAIYYASAHEB PATIL:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) the details of the Bharat Gaurav  trains being  launched under Indian Railways to tap the huge potential of tourism;
- (b)  the  details  of  the  funds  allocated,  sanctioned  and  planned  to  be  disbursed for the next five years, State/ Union Territory-wise;
- (c)  the  tentative  timeline  and  schedule  on  which  the  trains  will  be  made operational,  State/Union  Territory-wise  especially  of  States  of  Maharashtra  and Andhra Pradesh;
- (d) whether the Government has also proposed to spare 180 trains exclusively for the same;
- (e)  the  details  of  special  facilities  being  offered  by  the  Government  in  these trains;
- (f)  whether sector level contractors are being taken into consideration to begin the operation of the said train; and
- (g) the details of total employment and revenue likely to be generated by undertaking
- this project?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, COMMUNICATIONS AND ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

- (a) Ministry  of  Railways  have  issued  policy  instructions  on  23.11.2021  vide Commercial  Circular  No.  14  for  operation  of  theme  based  tourist  circuit  trains 'Bharat  Gaurav'  over  Indian  Railways  and  the  same  is  available  on  Indian

Railway's  website  https://bharatgauravtrains.indianrailways.gov.in.  The  objective is  to  tap  the  vast  tourist  potential  of  India  by  showcasing  India's  rich  cultural heritage and magnificent historical places to the people of India and the world.

(b) No  fund  is  envisaged  to  be  allocated  for  this  scheme  as  this  policy  is  a revenue generating model.

(c) Timeline and schedule for making these trains operational will depend on many factors, marketing of tour packages and placement of rake demands.   The trains may cover any State or Union territory including the states of Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh depending upon the itinerary planning.

(d) The  number  of  trains  will  depend  upon  the  coach  composition  of  a  train requested by the service provider, which may comprise a minimum of 14 coaches and  a  maximum  of  20  coaches  per  train.  Indian  Railways  have  identified  3033 coaches which are offered under this scheme.

(e) Any special  facilities  and  comprehensive  tour  services  comprising  meals, accommodation, transport, sightseeing, tour guide shall be decided and provided by  the  service  provider.  Indian  Railways  would  facilitate  service  providers  in smooth operation of these trains.

(f) Under the policy, Service providers may include State Tourism Development Corporations, Public Sector Undertakings or others who may be at sector level.

(g) Promotion of tourism under this scheme will generate a multiplier effect on increase in employment opportunities in tourism and related sectors. The revenue earned by railways will be in accordance with the applicable charges notified vide the said policy instructions and will depend upon the number of trains operated.

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