Lok Sabha Question No. 1768 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-07-27
Subject: Complimentary Travel in Luxury Trains
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: A.K.P. Chinraj

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1768

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 27.07.2022

## COMPLIMENTARY TRAVEL IN LUXURY TRAINS

## 1768.        SHRI A.K.P. CHINRAJ:

## Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) the rationale in allowing spouse or companion to travel in luxury trains like Palace on Wheels, Royal Rajasthan along with railway officials, when they are on official duty;
- (b) the list of persons with their names and International media they are  attached  with,  who  availed  complimentary  travel  in  luxury trains from 2014 to till date; train-wise;
- (c) the details  of private persons (Other than railway officials) along with their names  and  the  capacity in which  they availed complimentary travel in luxury trains from 2014;
- (d) the number of inspection reports submitted by railway officials in this regard since 2014; train wise; and
- (e) the details of department/agency/corporation-wise quota for complimentary travel in luxury trains ?

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

- (a)  As per Railway Servants (Pass) Rules, 1986, Railway officials are allowed  to  travel  over  Indian  Railways  on  official  duty  along  with family.  On  the  similar  lines,  these  officials  are  allowed  to  travel  in these tourist trains on official duty with family member.
- (b) and (c)  These trains are operated by State Tourism Development Corporations  and  Indian  Railway  Catering  and  Tourism  Corporation Limited  (IRCTC).  Traveling  details  of  international  media  persons/ private persons who availed complimentary travel in luxury trains are not maintained by Indian Railways.

## (d)  As per data available, train-wise inspection reports from the year 2014 onwards are as under:

| Train Name                                             |   No. of inspection reports submitted |
|--------------------------------------------------------|---------------------------------------|
| Palace on Wheels                                       |                                    52 |
| Royal Rajasthan on Wheels (train discontinued in 2017) |                                     1 |
| Maharajas' Express                                     |                                    29 |
| Golden Chariot                                         |                                     1 |
| Deccan Odyssey                                         |                                     8 |

## (e) Details are as under:

-  2 berths per trip in these trains may be utilized for complimentary travel by the authorized officials of Indian Railway  for  the  purpose  of  inspection  and  feedback  from  the tourists. Similarly, a complimentary travel quota of 2 berths per trip,  subject  to  availability  of  seats  after  giving  preference  to paid passengers on commercial  trips, is permitted to the respective State Tourism Development Corporations/IRCTC.
-  In addition, there may be 24 berths per season for international press media  groups to be decided in mutual consultation between  IR  and  the  respective  State  Tourism  Development Corporations.
-  The complimentary travels announced by the Ministry of Tourism/Government of India at times like Commonwealth Games  2010  Medal  Winners  and  like  may  be  provided  by  the respective agency within their quota of complimentary travel on respective  trains.  However,  in  case  of  shortage  of  berths,  they may  pool  the  quota  of  other  departments  too  with  the  prior consent of the concerned department.
-  Complimentary  travel  is  permissible  subject  to  availability  of seats after giving preference to paid passengers on commercial trips.

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