Bharat Gaurav Scheme

Bharat Gaurav trains UPSC: Relevance

• GS 2: Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation.

Bharat Gaurav scheme: Context

• Recently, Indian Railways of Southern Railway zone flagged off India’s first private train under the Bharat Gaurav scheme from Coimbatore.

Bharat Gaurav trains: Key points

• Railway has leased this train to a service provider for a period of 2 years.
• The service provider has paid Rs 1 crore as security deposit to Southern Railway for the rake with a composition of 20 coaches.
• Moreover, Southern Railways would earn a total fixed revenue of Rs. 3.34 crore per annum.
• There will also be a doctor on board to attend any emergency along with private securities engaged along with the Railway Police Force.
• The entire train is maintained by branded housekeeping service providers who frequently clean the utility areas.
• The coaches are also fitted with speakers and an on-rail Radio Jockey for entertainment of the passengers.

Bharat Gaurav Scheme

• In 2021, Indian Railways launched the theme-based tourist circuit trains called the Bharat Gaurav Trains.
• These theme-based trains are aimed at showcasing India’s rich cultural heritage and magnificent historical places to the people of India and the world.
• The core strength of the professionals of tourism sector would be leveraged to develop/identify tourist circuits and run theme- based trains to tap the vast tourism potential of India.

Bharat Gaurav train: Scope of the scheme

• Service Provider would be free to decide theme like Guru Kripa trains for covering important places of Sikh culture, Ramayana trains for places connected with Lord Shri Ram etc.
• Service Provider to offer all inclusive package to tourist including rail travel, hotel accommodation, sightseeing arrangement, visit to historical/heritage sites, tour guides etc.
• Full flexibility to decide package cost based on level of services being offered.
• Choice of coaches suiting the clientele, different segments like luxury, budget etc.
• Free to design/furnish interior of the coaches based on the theme.
• Branding and advertisement permitted both inside and outside of train.
• Train composition will be of 14 to 20 coaches including 2 SLRs(Guard Vans).

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