Malaysia has awarded a US$1.08 billion (euro730 million) railway contract to an Indian company, the deputy prime minister said Monday, as the two countries stepped up military ties during a visit by India's defense minister.
Although the contract awarded to the Indian Railway Construction Co. is not related to defense, it is a reflection of the growing ties between the two countries in all fields, Indian Defense Minister A.K. Antony said.
``This is a signal that they are encouraging Indian investment. That means all-round (cooperation): defense, trade, commerce, education, health services,'' he told The Associated Press.
The two sides said a 31-member Indian Air Force team will arrive in Malaysia next month to train pilots on Russian-made Sukhoi Su-30 MKM fighter jets _ a rare foreign project by the Indian armed forces.
Antony's three-day trip to Malaysia, a month after he visited Vietnam, is part of Indian efforts to expand military ties with Southeast Asia _ a region it long neglected when it was an ally of the former Soviet Union during the Cold War.
India has been making friends with the U.S. and its Southeast Asian partners such as Malaysia and Singapore since the Soviet Union's demise. India is particularly interested in wooing Malaysia, which has deep military links with Pakistan, New Delhi's archrival.
The Indian Air Force team will be based in Malaysia for two years as part of an agreement signed last year. A batch of 55 Malaysian air force personnel began training in India on Dec. 17, and 47 more will be sent in March, Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Najib Razak said.
The rail contract puts to rest a major controversy that had soured relations between the countries. In 2001, Malaysia awarded a US$3.5 billion double-tracking project to the same Indian company, but withdrew the contract two years later without explanation.
Last year, Malaysia invited India to resubmit its bid for the project. Indian officials said the company was awarded the smaller contract last month to double-track 100 kilometers (60 miles) of rail line for 3.45 billion ringgit (US$1.08 billion; euro730 million).
It was officially announced by Najib, who said bilateral trade was expected to hit US$8 billion (euro5.4 billion) this year.
``In the area of business, the double-tracking railway project that we have awarded to IRCON was most significant and it should be implemented this year,'' he said, using the Indian company's acronym.
Najib said the two countries are also exploring possible cooperation in the operation and maintenance of French-made Scorpene submarines but declined to say whether there would be joint exercises involving the warships.
Malaysia expects to receive two Scorpenes next year, while India has purchased six of the submarines which will be delivered in 2011, he said.
Antony, who met with Najib and Foreign Minister Syed Hamid Albar on Monday, was to hold talks with Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi on Tuesday before flying home.
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Thursday, July 31, 2008
Metrolink
This special tour begins at the City of Joy and moves on towards the North Bengal where the highlight of the trip is a ride on the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway which has been declared by the UNESCO as a World Heritage monument.
From Darjeeling continue to the pristine beaches and the temples of Puri on the Orissa coast before moving on to Varanasi. After a visit to India 's largest marshalling yards and the tour moves on via Agra- where we visit the Taj mahal, to India 's summer capital - Shimla. The trip from Kalka to Shimla is a rail enthusiast's delight and a delightful experience.
Tour Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive Delhi - On arrival a warm welcome by our staff and transfer to your hotel. Overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 2: Delhi - Enjoy a sightseeing tour of Old and New Delhi. Besides normal sightseeing tours following additional activities can be incorporated:-Visit to the National Railway Museum, Excursion to the Steam Shed at Rewari and a visit to the Railway Stations of Delhi. On Wednesdays visit the Delhi Cantt station for viewing the Palace on Wheels.
You can also visit the New Delhi Station from the State Entry road to view the Reserved Carriages with a direct access from Connaught Place. It is also possible to arrange guest lectures by senior railway officials and / or rail fans. Slide shows on specific subjects, trips and the history of the Indian Railways can be arranged.
Day 3: Delhi / Agra - Transfer to New Delhi Station for Shatabdi Express to Agra Cantt. The Journey aboard the Shatabdi Express is the fastest ride in the country today. Assistance on arrival and transfer to hotel. Later visit the Red Fort and the majestic Taj Mahal.
Day 4: Agra / Jaipur - Morning option of a sunrise visit to the Taj Mahal to capture the changing moods and shades on this marble structure. Afternoon free for own activities. In the evening transfer to railway station to board the Agra / Jaipur train.
Day 5: Jaipur Pink City tour includes visit to the majestic Amber Fort, Wind Palace, Water Palace, City Palace, Observatory & the glittering bazaars of Jaipur. Return to your hotel for overnight stay.
Day 6: Jaipur / Jodhpur - Morning free at Jaipur. Later board train for Jodhpur. Upon arrival check-in at a hotel. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 7: Jodhpur / Deogarh - City tour of Jodhpur includes a visit to Mehrangarh Fort and Jaswant Thada. In the afternoon drive to Deogarh. On arrival check-in at the wonderful Deogarh palace.
Day 8: Deogarh / Phulad / Ranakpur - Morning drive to railway station to board train to Phulad. Reach Phulad Jn and proceed to Ranakpur. Later visit the wonderful three temples of the Jain sect at Ranakpur dating back to the 14th /15th century. Overnight stay at Ranakpur.
Day 9: Ranakpur / Udaipur - After breakfast drive to Udaipur, the city considered to be a romantic city- with its lakes, gardens, temples and palaces - an oasis in the Thar Desert. On arrival check in at hotel. Afternoon enjoy boat ride on the Pichola Lake. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 10: Udaipur / Ahmedabad - After breakfast enjoy a city tour of Udaipur visiting City Palace, Jagdish Temple, drive around Fatehsagar Lake, Sahelion ki Bari and Bhartiya Lok Kala Mandir. In the afternoon drive to Ahmedabad. Upon arrival transfer to hotel.
Day 11: Ahmedabad - In the morning enjoy a city tour of Ahmedabad. Optional: excursion to Viramgam Jn. It is also possible to take a short train ride on the main line towards Vadodara whose Gaekwad rulers set up many railway projects and laid narrow gauge lines in the erstwhile state. Return to Ahmedabad in the evening for an overnight stay.
Day 12: Ahmedabad / Mumbai - Morning free at leisure. Evening transfer to railway station to board the Gujarat Mail to Mumbai Central. Overnight on board the train.
Day 13: Mumbai - Early morning arrival at Mumbai Central Railway Station and transfer to hotel. Afternoon tour of Mumbai city. Among the principal Railway related activities that can be undertaken in Mumbai are :
1)A visit to the Chhatrapati shivaji Terminus (Mumbai VT) station, also rated as a World Heritage site.
2) See the Deccan Odyssey rake at Mumbai VT (departs every Wednesday at 1600 hrs)".
3) Visit to the suburban Terminus at Dadar Central which is among the busiest Railway stations in the country.
Day 14: Mumbai / Bhusaval Jn / Aurangabad - Depart for Bhusaval Jn, gateway to the Ajanta Caves - the site of 2000 years Old World famous colossal rock-cut temples of Ajanta. After a visit to the Caves continue on toAurangabad city. On arrival transfer to hotel for overnight stay.
Day 15: Aurangabad - After breakfast, proceed for an excursion to Ellora caves. These are carved in the volcanic rocks & are among the finest in India. There are 34 caves - 12 Buddhist created (600-800 AD), 17 Hindu (600-900 AD), 5 Jain(600-1100 AD).For overnight stay return to Aurangabad. Imp: Ellora is closed on Tuesdays.
Day 16: Aurangabad / Mumbai - Morning free for individual activities. Later in the afternoon transfer to airport to connect flight to Bombay. On arrival, transfer to a hotel for dinner before continuing on to the international airport for return flight back home.
From Darjeeling continue to the pristine beaches and the temples of Puri on the Orissa coast before moving on to Varanasi. After a visit to India 's largest marshalling yards and the tour moves on via Agra- where we visit the Taj mahal, to India 's summer capital - Shimla. The trip from Kalka to Shimla is a rail enthusiast's delight and a delightful experience.
Tour Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive Delhi - On arrival a warm welcome by our staff and transfer to your hotel. Overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 2: Delhi - Enjoy a sightseeing tour of Old and New Delhi. Besides normal sightseeing tours following additional activities can be incorporated:-Visit to the National Railway Museum, Excursion to the Steam Shed at Rewari and a visit to the Railway Stations of Delhi. On Wednesdays visit the Delhi Cantt station for viewing the Palace on Wheels.
You can also visit the New Delhi Station from the State Entry road to view the Reserved Carriages with a direct access from Connaught Place. It is also possible to arrange guest lectures by senior railway officials and / or rail fans. Slide shows on specific subjects, trips and the history of the Indian Railways can be arranged.
Day 3: Delhi / Agra - Transfer to New Delhi Station for Shatabdi Express to Agra Cantt. The Journey aboard the Shatabdi Express is the fastest ride in the country today. Assistance on arrival and transfer to hotel. Later visit the Red Fort and the majestic Taj Mahal.
Day 4: Agra / Jaipur - Morning option of a sunrise visit to the Taj Mahal to capture the changing moods and shades on this marble structure. Afternoon free for own activities. In the evening transfer to railway station to board the Agra / Jaipur train.
Day 5: Jaipur Pink City tour includes visit to the majestic Amber Fort, Wind Palace, Water Palace, City Palace, Observatory & the glittering bazaars of Jaipur. Return to your hotel for overnight stay.
Day 6: Jaipur / Jodhpur - Morning free at Jaipur. Later board train for Jodhpur. Upon arrival check-in at a hotel. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 7: Jodhpur / Deogarh - City tour of Jodhpur includes a visit to Mehrangarh Fort and Jaswant Thada. In the afternoon drive to Deogarh. On arrival check-in at the wonderful Deogarh palace.
Day 8: Deogarh / Phulad / Ranakpur - Morning drive to railway station to board train to Phulad. Reach Phulad Jn and proceed to Ranakpur. Later visit the wonderful three temples of the Jain sect at Ranakpur dating back to the 14th /15th century. Overnight stay at Ranakpur.
Day 9: Ranakpur / Udaipur - After breakfast drive to Udaipur, the city considered to be a romantic city- with its lakes, gardens, temples and palaces - an oasis in the Thar Desert. On arrival check in at hotel. Afternoon enjoy boat ride on the Pichola Lake. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 10: Udaipur / Ahmedabad - After breakfast enjoy a city tour of Udaipur visiting City Palace, Jagdish Temple, drive around Fatehsagar Lake, Sahelion ki Bari and Bhartiya Lok Kala Mandir. In the afternoon drive to Ahmedabad. Upon arrival transfer to hotel.
Day 11: Ahmedabad - In the morning enjoy a city tour of Ahmedabad. Optional: excursion to Viramgam Jn. It is also possible to take a short train ride on the main line towards Vadodara whose Gaekwad rulers set up many railway projects and laid narrow gauge lines in the erstwhile state. Return to Ahmedabad in the evening for an overnight stay.
Day 12: Ahmedabad / Mumbai - Morning free at leisure. Evening transfer to railway station to board the Gujarat Mail to Mumbai Central. Overnight on board the train.
Day 13: Mumbai - Early morning arrival at Mumbai Central Railway Station and transfer to hotel. Afternoon tour of Mumbai city. Among the principal Railway related activities that can be undertaken in Mumbai are :
1)A visit to the Chhatrapati shivaji Terminus (Mumbai VT) station, also rated as a World Heritage site.
2) See the Deccan Odyssey rake at Mumbai VT (departs every Wednesday at 1600 hrs)".
3) Visit to the suburban Terminus at Dadar Central which is among the busiest Railway stations in the country.
Day 14: Mumbai / Bhusaval Jn / Aurangabad - Depart for Bhusaval Jn, gateway to the Ajanta Caves - the site of 2000 years Old World famous colossal rock-cut temples of Ajanta. After a visit to the Caves continue on toAurangabad city. On arrival transfer to hotel for overnight stay.
Day 15: Aurangabad - After breakfast, proceed for an excursion to Ellora caves. These are carved in the volcanic rocks & are among the finest in India. There are 34 caves - 12 Buddhist created (600-800 AD), 17 Hindu (600-900 AD), 5 Jain(600-1100 AD).For overnight stay return to Aurangabad. Imp: Ellora is closed on Tuesdays.
Day 16: Aurangabad / Mumbai - Morning free for individual activities. Later in the afternoon transfer to airport to connect flight to Bombay. On arrival, transfer to a hotel for dinner before continuing on to the international airport for return flight back home.
How to Book Railway Tickets - IR
Call Indian Railways at 011 (+91) 7070 676747 to book travel or visit their Web site (see Resources below).
Book tickets at one of the tourist bureaus located in most big cities and tourist areas. You can find a list of bureaus on the Indian Railways Web site.
Book tickets for your trip online. While tickets cannot be shipped overseas or picked up at the station, electronic tickets are available for most long distance trains. Just print out a booking reference number and supply it to the conductor on the train. There is a nominal fee for this service (less than $1)
Book a ticket on Rajdhani or Shatabdi trains for the best accommodations. Rajdhani trains run overnight with sleepers, and Shatabdi run during the day. Both are for intercity service. Express, Mail and Ordinary trains offer lower quality accommodations but are viable options for budget-conscious travelers.
Book a ticket in one of the AC classes. There are eight classes on Indian Railways, but not all of them are available on every train. AC1 is first class and is one of the nicest ways to travel by train. AC2 and AC3 are generally the same and only really vary by number of berths per side (two and three, respectively). CC is an option for those who are content with a chair rather than a berth.
Book tickets at one of the tourist bureaus located in most big cities and tourist areas. You can find a list of bureaus on the Indian Railways Web site.
Book tickets for your trip online. While tickets cannot be shipped overseas or picked up at the station, electronic tickets are available for most long distance trains. Just print out a booking reference number and supply it to the conductor on the train. There is a nominal fee for this service (less than $1)
Book a ticket on Rajdhani or Shatabdi trains for the best accommodations. Rajdhani trains run overnight with sleepers, and Shatabdi run during the day. Both are for intercity service. Express, Mail and Ordinary trains offer lower quality accommodations but are viable options for budget-conscious travelers.
Book a ticket in one of the AC classes. There are eight classes on Indian Railways, but not all of them are available on every train. AC1 is first class and is one of the nicest ways to travel by train. AC2 and AC3 are generally the same and only really vary by number of berths per side (two and three, respectively). CC is an option for those who are content with a chair rather than a berth.
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Indian Railway Tour
What can be more thrilling than exploring and discovering India onboard the Palace-on-Wheels, the Royal Orient or the Toy Trains that are the pride of the Indian Railways - the largest passenger train service in the world. Make your vacations in India an experience to cherish.
The Palace-on-Wheels lives by its name and is no less than a fort on the move. The lavish lifestyle, the facilities, the décor, the comfort and the style have made the first tourist train of India the most sought after. Covering the Golden Triangle circuit of Delhi-Agra-Jaipur, the journey has been designed with a royal touch for tourists on vacation in India. The welcoming elephants, garlands, music and dance can never fail to enchant any of the tourists.
Tourists may even opt for a voyage onboard the Royal Orient during their India vacations. Offering both style and comfort, the Royal Orient chugs along the rainbow of cities trotted by the royal extravagance of the bygone era - Delhi, Chittaurgarh, Junagarh/Veraval, Somnath/Sasan, Gir/Ahmedpur, Mandvi/Palitana/ Sarkhej, Ahmedabad and Jaipur. The range of stations varies from placid, ancient temples, a stunning sea resort and exotic wild life. The memories will for sure be as golden as the sand.
Besides the royal trains, the toy trains of India have attracted many a tourists. The ride on the train with a 4500 kilometers track chugs through the popular hill stations of the country like Shimal, Darjeeling, Ooty/ Udagamandalam or Ootacamund and Matheran. The toy trains are called so because of the narrow gauge railway lines they ride on.
The wondrous miniature of rail engineering that offers the most scenic beauties of the Himalayas from Kalka to Shimla and another from Jal Pai Guri to Darjeeling. Nature seems to be at its best with the pace of the train and the rhythm of life. The Blue Mountain Railway vacation of India, through the tea and coffee plantations, dense forests and up to the mountains of the Nilgiri region in South India, is as refreshing as the topography itself.
The Palace-on-Wheels lives by its name and is no less than a fort on the move. The lavish lifestyle, the facilities, the décor, the comfort and the style have made the first tourist train of India the most sought after. Covering the Golden Triangle circuit of Delhi-Agra-Jaipur, the journey has been designed with a royal touch for tourists on vacation in India. The welcoming elephants, garlands, music and dance can never fail to enchant any of the tourists.
Tourists may even opt for a voyage onboard the Royal Orient during their India vacations. Offering both style and comfort, the Royal Orient chugs along the rainbow of cities trotted by the royal extravagance of the bygone era - Delhi, Chittaurgarh, Junagarh/Veraval, Somnath/Sasan, Gir/Ahmedpur, Mandvi/Palitana/ Sarkhej, Ahmedabad and Jaipur. The range of stations varies from placid, ancient temples, a stunning sea resort and exotic wild life. The memories will for sure be as golden as the sand.
Besides the royal trains, the toy trains of India have attracted many a tourists. The ride on the train with a 4500 kilometers track chugs through the popular hill stations of the country like Shimal, Darjeeling, Ooty/ Udagamandalam or Ootacamund and Matheran. The toy trains are called so because of the narrow gauge railway lines they ride on.
The wondrous miniature of rail engineering that offers the most scenic beauties of the Himalayas from Kalka to Shimla and another from Jal Pai Guri to Darjeeling. Nature seems to be at its best with the pace of the train and the rhythm of life. The Blue Mountain Railway vacation of India, through the tea and coffee plantations, dense forests and up to the mountains of the Nilgiri region in South India, is as refreshing as the topography itself.
Indian Transport Corporation
Having Passed through various phases since its introduction on April 16, 1853, railways in India entered a new era in 1947 when the country attained Independence. The country inherited a shattered railway system which had become the brunt of the Depression of the 1930s and the on slaught of World war II which, though it filled the railway coffers due to the demand for its services, left a major part of its assets obsolete, overused and requiring replacement. Further, the partition of the country had led to division of assets and manpower and dislocated the railway services. Nearly 83,000 railway workers opted to serve in Pakistan while 126,000 stayed on in India. The division led to the problem of fitting them into their proper places. After Partition, nearly 53,500 route kilometers remained in India.
In the wake of Partition, the railways transport a large number of from India to Pakistan and vice versa- During the first month after Independence, despite great operational and other handicaps, it transported nearly 7,00,000 migrants and another 40,00,000 migrants during the following Year. This feat has no parallel in the annals of world railways. After partition, the pattern and direction of rail traffic underwent a sea change, particularly in northern, western and northeastern parts had no link to with the rest of the country. The Assam Railway in the northeastern parts had no link with the rest of the country. Work on the 227 kilometer long Assam Rail line project was started in January 1948 and the fine was completed and formally inaugurated on January 26, 1950.
The loss of the port of Karachi and Lahore, an important centre of trade, jeopardized the traffic from Jammu and Kashmir through Pathankot which had to be diverted to Bombay via Delhi. It necessitated immediate construction of Pathankot - Mukerian railway line to connect Pathankot with Delhi. The work on the 44 km long Pathankot - Mukerian line began in November 1949 and it was formally opened to traffic on April 7, 1952.
The diversion of traffic put severe pressure on the Delhi-Bombay route and also on the port of Bombay. It necessitated the development of another port on the west coast of the country and the obvious choice was Kandla in the Kutch region. Work on the meter gauge line connecting Kandla and Deesa started in January 1950 and the 274 km long line was opened to traffic in October 1952.
In the wake of Partition, the railways transport a large number of from India to Pakistan and vice versa- During the first month after Independence, despite great operational and other handicaps, it transported nearly 7,00,000 migrants and another 40,00,000 migrants during the following Year. This feat has no parallel in the annals of world railways. After partition, the pattern and direction of rail traffic underwent a sea change, particularly in northern, western and northeastern parts had no link to with the rest of the country. The Assam Railway in the northeastern parts had no link with the rest of the country. Work on the 227 kilometer long Assam Rail line project was started in January 1948 and the fine was completed and formally inaugurated on January 26, 1950.
The loss of the port of Karachi and Lahore, an important centre of trade, jeopardized the traffic from Jammu and Kashmir through Pathankot which had to be diverted to Bombay via Delhi. It necessitated immediate construction of Pathankot - Mukerian railway line to connect Pathankot with Delhi. The work on the 44 km long Pathankot - Mukerian line began in November 1949 and it was formally opened to traffic on April 7, 1952.
The diversion of traffic put severe pressure on the Delhi-Bombay route and also on the port of Bombay. It necessitated the development of another port on the west coast of the country and the obvious choice was Kandla in the Kutch region. Work on the meter gauge line connecting Kandla and Deesa started in January 1950 and the 274 km long line was opened to traffic in October 1952.
Monday, July 28, 2008
History Of Indian Railways
There is no better way to witness India, than to view the changing scenes from a carriage window of a train. Though British laid most of the 38,525 miles (62,000-kms) of track, it was assumed the end of colonial rule in India, marks the beginning of travel as you please.
The first train run in India took place on April 16th, 1853, when a train with 14 railway carriages and 400 guests left Bombay's Bori Bunder for Thane, with a 21-gun salute. It was hauled by three locomotives: Sindh, Sultan, and Sahib. The journey took an hour and fifteen minutes to complete. This, however, was just the first commercial passenger service in India. In fact, a steam loco, Thomason, was already in use for hauling construction material in Roorkee for the Solani via duct in 1851.
The second locomotive to arrive in India was Falkland (named for a governor of Bombay), used by the contractors of the GIPR for shunting operations on the first line out of Bombay that was being built. It later became GIPR loco #9. A third locomotive, Vulcan, is said to have been used by the GIPR for material hauling and shunting duties in 1852 as well.
Discovering Indian Railways
The first passenger train steamed out of Howrah station for Hooghly, a distance of 24 miles, on 15th August, 1854. This was the first section of the East Indian Railway that was opened to public traffic, inaugurating the beginning of railway transport on the Eastern side of the sub-continent.
In south the first line was opened on Ist July, 1856 by the Madras Railway Company. It ran between Veyasarpandy and Walajah Road (Arcot), a distance of 63 miles. In the North a length of 119 miles of line was laid from Allahabad to Kanpur on 3rd March 1959. The first section from Hathras Road to Mathura Cantonment was opened to traffic on 19th October, 1875. These were the small beginnings which in due course developed into a network of railway lines all over the India. By 1880 the Indian Railway system had a route mileage of about 9,000 miles.
The first train run in India took place on April 16th, 1853, when a train with 14 railway carriages and 400 guests left Bombay's Bori Bunder for Thane, with a 21-gun salute. It was hauled by three locomotives: Sindh, Sultan, and Sahib. The journey took an hour and fifteen minutes to complete. This, however, was just the first commercial passenger service in India. In fact, a steam loco, Thomason, was already in use for hauling construction material in Roorkee for the Solani via duct in 1851.
The second locomotive to arrive in India was Falkland (named for a governor of Bombay), used by the contractors of the GIPR for shunting operations on the first line out of Bombay that was being built. It later became GIPR loco #9. A third locomotive, Vulcan, is said to have been used by the GIPR for material hauling and shunting duties in 1852 as well.
Discovering Indian Railways
The first passenger train steamed out of Howrah station for Hooghly, a distance of 24 miles, on 15th August, 1854. This was the first section of the East Indian Railway that was opened to public traffic, inaugurating the beginning of railway transport on the Eastern side of the sub-continent.
In south the first line was opened on Ist July, 1856 by the Madras Railway Company. It ran between Veyasarpandy and Walajah Road (Arcot), a distance of 63 miles. In the North a length of 119 miles of line was laid from Allahabad to Kanpur on 3rd March 1959. The first section from Hathras Road to Mathura Cantonment was opened to traffic on 19th October, 1875. These were the small beginnings which in due course developed into a network of railway lines all over the India. By 1880 the Indian Railway system had a route mileage of about 9,000 miles.
Golden Triangle in Luxury
For the first time visitor to India as well as those who are short on time, a trip through the Golden Triangle offers the best introduction to this nation of a billion people from strikingly different backgrounds. This tour makes an effort to summarize the essence of the best that the country has to offer and takes the visitor to the bygone period of the Mughals, the Rajputs and the British.
This tour features the famous marks of history lying at the Golden Triangle of Delhi, Agra and Jaipur. Delhi had always been the centre of various kingdoms in its history of 3,000 years. Agra was the centre of the medieval Mughal empire. It has the gem of Indian architecture - the Taj Mahal. Jaipur, the princely state capital is a city of grandeur, art and culture.
Day 01 Arrive Delhi On arrival, you will be welcomed by our staff at the airport and transfered to your hotel. Overnight stay.
Day 02 Delhi In the morning proceed for a sightseeing tour of Old Delhi - a multi - layered city. Our first stop is the Red Fort built by the great Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan when he shifted his capital from Agra. A short drive brings us to the Great Mosque - the Jama Masjid. Drive on to see the memorial built for Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat. Afternoon Sightseeing tour of New Delhi includes a visit to the Qutub Minar - the tallest stone tower in India built in 1191 AD. Chhatarpur Temple - the most popular Hindu temple with blissful tranquility and serene ambience. Continue to Humayun's Tomb believed to have been designed by his widow. Its plan is based on the description of Islamic paradise gardens and is known to have inspired the Taj Mahal and many other Mughal tombs built later. Also visit the Bahai Temple – a lotus shaped structure which is open to all faiths and is an ideal place for meditation and obtaining peace and tranquility. Return to your hotel. Evening at leisure. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Day 03 Delhi / Jaipur Drive to Jaipur along a modern Toll Highway which forms an integral part of the Golden Quadrilateral project. It is a pleasant drive of about 4 ½ hours and you have the option to stop enroute at the 15th century Fort Palace at Neemrana which has been converted to run as a Heritage hotel. Upon arrival at Jaipur check in at hotel and overnight stay.
Day 04 Jaipur Begin your tour of the Pink city with an excursion to the Amber Fort where an elephant ride is also provided (subject to availability). Later proceed for a city tour of Jaipur visiting the Observatory (Jantar Mantar), built in 1726 by Jai Singh, a notable astronomer King. It houses instruments of astronomy with astonishing accuracy, which gives accurate predictions to this day. The City Palace is a visitors’ delight, within the walls are several Palaces and museums resplendent with collections of the princely era. Drive to the Palace of Winds (Hawa Mahal), a five story high Palace having a facade of windows and latticed screens which allowed the Ladies of the Court, in bygone days, to sit and view the streets of the city. Evening at leisure to explore the local market. Overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 05 Jaipur / Agra Drive to Agra visiting the abandoned Mughal capital of Fatehpur Sikri en route. Arrive Agra by early evening and check in at your hotel. Overnight stay at Agra.
Day 06 Agra Morning proceed for the city sightseeing and visit Taj Mahal - built by a grief-stricken emperor, Shah Jahan, as a memorial of eternal love for his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal, Agra Fort which perhaps offers the most moving view of the Taj Mahal from its octagonal tower situated across the River Jamuna. Evening at leisure to explore the local market. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 07 Agra / Delhi Morning free at leisure. Late morning drive back to Delhi visiting Sikandara (just outside Agra city)en route. Sikandra - Emperor Akbar's tomb at Sikandra is a magnificent gateway, covered with floral and geometrical arabesque decoration in white and colored marble. Four elegant Minarets surround the tomb. It is possible to include a short visit to the birthplace of Lord Krishna at Vrindavan and the Ghats at Mathura however that would mean an early start from Agra. Upon arrival at Delhi check in at your hotel for overnight stay. Farewell dinner on the eve of your departure from India at your hotel.
Day 08 Departure Early morning transfer to airport for your flight back home.
Royal Orient Train Tour
Royal orient Train The Royal Orient Luxury Train departs every Wednesday from Delhi on a royal tour of Gujarat and Rajasthan. Beginning every September, the Royal Orient luxury train, runs till the last Wednesday of April. The Royal Orient takes you on a fascinating journey to historic and scenic destinations. Relax in air-conditioned luxury, in coaches furnished in a royal manner, while equipped with modern conveniences. With a restaurant, bar and library, the Royal Orient luxury train, provides guests all that they require on their 8 day long journey across Northwest India.
Day 1: Wednesday - Delhi
Board the Royal Orient at the Delhi Cantonment Railway Station and depart at 15:00 hrs. Enjoy your evening tea and dinner and stay overnight on the luxury train.
Day 2: Thursday - Chittorgarh
Arrive at Chittorgarh at 05:30 hrs. Tour the Chittorgarh Fort and return to the train for breakfast and proceed for Udaipur. Arrive at Udaipur at noon and proceed to the hotel for lunch. After lunch enjoy sightseeing around Udaipur. Return to the Royal Orient and proceed for Mehsana. Enjoy your dinner on board and stay overnight on the Royal Orient luxury train.
Day 3: Friday - Mehsana
Arrive at Mehsana in Gujarat. Tour the Sun Temple at Modhera, the Rani-ki Vav and the Patola fabric weaving Centre at Patan. Leave for Ahmedabad, where you can enjoy your lunch at a hotel. This is followed by a sightseeing tour of Ahmedabad. See the Adalaj Vav, Gandhi Ashram, Calico Textile Museum, Sidi Sayyad Mosque and enjoy shopping in the main markets. Return to the Deccan Odyssey and enjoy your dinner on board as the train proceeds to Sasangir.
Day 4: Saturday - Sasan Gir
Arrive at Sasangir. Enjoy your breakfast on board followed by a tour of the Gir Lion sanctuary, where you can see the Asiatic Lion in the wild. If you wish you can tour the temple at Somnath. Board the train and depart for Delwada. Arrive at Delwada and take a trip to Ahmedpur-Mandvi beach, Diu Fort and St. Paul's Cathedral. Return to the Royal Orient and leave for Palitana. Enjoy your dinner on board and stay overnight on the Royal Orient luxury train.
Day 5: Sunday - Palitana
Arrive at Palitana. Take a trip to the Jain temples at Shatrunjaya Hills. Return to the train and leave for Sarkhej. Enjoy your lunch on board. Arrive at Sarkhej and tour the Vishalla village. Enjoy your dinner at a hotel and return to the train to stay overnight as it proceeds to Udaipur.
Day 6: Monday - Udaipur
Arrive at Udaipur. Have breakfast on the train. Leave for a trip to the Jain Temples at Ranakpur. Enjoy your lunch at a hotel and return to Udaipur to board the luxury train. Enjoy your dinner on board the Royal Orient as the train proceeds to Udaipur.
Day 7: Tuesday - Jaipur
Arrive at Jaipur. Enjoy your breakfast on board. Take a tour of Jaipur. See the Hawa Mahal, ride an elephant up to Amer Fort and see the City Palace, Jantar Mantar and enjoy shopping in the markets of Jaipur. Return to the Royal Orient luxury Train. Have dinner on board and leave for Delhi.
Day 8: Wednesday - Delhi
Arrive at Delhi Cantonment Railway Station at 7:00 am at the end of your Royal Orient Luxury Train Tour in India
Tariff in USD per person per night
TRAIN DEPARTURES SCHEDULE
Every Wednesday from Delhi Cantonment Railway Station from September to April
Plan October 2004 To March 2005 September 2004 & April 2005
Single Occupancy 350 263
Twin Sharing 200 150
Triple Sharing 175 132
# Children below 5 years permitted free. Children below 12 years charged at only 50% of the rate.
# Valid only if accompanied by parents.
Tariff is inclusive of:
# Travel
# Catering
# Conducted Sightseeing
# Entrance fees at monuments/parks/palaces
# Cultural Programs
# Elephant Ride at Amber Fort
# Boat Ride in Udaipur
Day 1: Wednesday - Delhi
Board the Royal Orient at the Delhi Cantonment Railway Station and depart at 15:00 hrs. Enjoy your evening tea and dinner and stay overnight on the luxury train.
Day 2: Thursday - Chittorgarh
Arrive at Chittorgarh at 05:30 hrs. Tour the Chittorgarh Fort and return to the train for breakfast and proceed for Udaipur. Arrive at Udaipur at noon and proceed to the hotel for lunch. After lunch enjoy sightseeing around Udaipur. Return to the Royal Orient and proceed for Mehsana. Enjoy your dinner on board and stay overnight on the Royal Orient luxury train.
Day 3: Friday - Mehsana
Arrive at Mehsana in Gujarat. Tour the Sun Temple at Modhera, the Rani-ki Vav and the Patola fabric weaving Centre at Patan. Leave for Ahmedabad, where you can enjoy your lunch at a hotel. This is followed by a sightseeing tour of Ahmedabad. See the Adalaj Vav, Gandhi Ashram, Calico Textile Museum, Sidi Sayyad Mosque and enjoy shopping in the main markets. Return to the Deccan Odyssey and enjoy your dinner on board as the train proceeds to Sasangir.
Day 4: Saturday - Sasan Gir
Arrive at Sasangir. Enjoy your breakfast on board followed by a tour of the Gir Lion sanctuary, where you can see the Asiatic Lion in the wild. If you wish you can tour the temple at Somnath. Board the train and depart for Delwada. Arrive at Delwada and take a trip to Ahmedpur-Mandvi beach, Diu Fort and St. Paul's Cathedral. Return to the Royal Orient and leave for Palitana. Enjoy your dinner on board and stay overnight on the Royal Orient luxury train.
Day 5: Sunday - Palitana
Arrive at Palitana. Take a trip to the Jain temples at Shatrunjaya Hills. Return to the train and leave for Sarkhej. Enjoy your lunch on board. Arrive at Sarkhej and tour the Vishalla village. Enjoy your dinner at a hotel and return to the train to stay overnight as it proceeds to Udaipur.
Day 6: Monday - Udaipur
Arrive at Udaipur. Have breakfast on the train. Leave for a trip to the Jain Temples at Ranakpur. Enjoy your lunch at a hotel and return to Udaipur to board the luxury train. Enjoy your dinner on board the Royal Orient as the train proceeds to Udaipur.
Day 7: Tuesday - Jaipur
Arrive at Jaipur. Enjoy your breakfast on board. Take a tour of Jaipur. See the Hawa Mahal, ride an elephant up to Amer Fort and see the City Palace, Jantar Mantar and enjoy shopping in the markets of Jaipur. Return to the Royal Orient luxury Train. Have dinner on board and leave for Delhi.
Day 8: Wednesday - Delhi
Arrive at Delhi Cantonment Railway Station at 7:00 am at the end of your Royal Orient Luxury Train Tour in India
Tariff in USD per person per night
TRAIN DEPARTURES SCHEDULE
Every Wednesday from Delhi Cantonment Railway Station from September to April
Plan October 2004 To March 2005 September 2004 & April 2005
Single Occupancy 350 263
Twin Sharing 200 150
Triple Sharing 175 132
# Children below 5 years permitted free. Children below 12 years charged at only 50% of the rate.
# Valid only if accompanied by parents.
Tariff is inclusive of:
# Travel
# Catering
# Conducted Sightseeing
# Entrance fees at monuments/parks/palaces
# Cultural Programs
# Elephant Ride at Amber Fort
# Boat Ride in Udaipur
Palace on Wheels Train Tour
Palace on Wheels Take a royal ride across North India and visit some of the best tourist destinations in India while traveling in luxury on the royal luxury train the Palace on Wheels. Relax in luxury as the Palace on Wheels rolls along from one scenic destination to another. Halt each to day to see magnificent forts and palaces, exotic wildlife and vibrant cities. See the beautiful landscape pass by as you travel in comfort on a holiday by rail on the luxury train the Palace on Wheels, in India.
Palace on Wheels Day 01 - Wednesday
Delhi >> Board the Palace on Wheels
Begin your journey by boarding the Palace on Wheels at 1745 in the evening. Enjoy your dinner and stay overnight on the royal luxury train.
Palace on Wheels Day 02 - Thursday
Jaipur >> Arrive - 0000 Hrs
Arrive in Jaipur, where decorated elephants and Rajasthan musicians welcome you. Enjoy your lunch at the Rambagh Palace. Tour the attractions of Jaipur, including the Hawa Mahal and the Amer Fort.
Departure 1730 Hrs.
Palace on Wheels Day 03 - Friday
Jaisalmer >> Arrive - 0615 Hrs
Arrive at Jaisalmer, a city built in the 12th century, famous for its sandstone fort, known as the golden fort. See the beautifully carved havelis and mansions with windows covered with carved screens. Enjoy a camel safari across the desert. Have dinner under the sand dunes and leave with golden memories of Jaisalmer.
Departure 2300 Hrs.
Palace on Wheels Day 04 - Saturday
Jodhpur >> Arrive - 0800 Hrs
Tour the impressive Mehrangarh Fort, with its museum, decorated rooms and fortified ramparts. See the royal cenotaphs at the Jaswant Thada and enjoy your lunch at the grand Umaid Bhawan Palace. Departure 1530 hrs.
Palace on Wheels Day 05 -Sunday
Sawai Madhopur >> Arrive - 0400 Hrs
Arrive at Ranthambore, a world famous wildlife sanctuary. Enjoy a tiger safari in the Ranthambore National Park and see tigers, deer, monkeys and many more animals in the wild. Also tour the majestic Ranthambore Fort.
Departure 1100 hrs.
Palace on Wheels Day 05 -Sunday
Chittorgarh >> Arrive - 1530 Hrs
Arrive in Chittorgarh, a city with a history full of romance and bravery. See the grand fort and the tower of victory in Chittorgarh. Leave with memories of valor and sacrifice as travel to Udaipur on the Palace on Wheels.
Departure 2230 hrs.
Palace on Wheels Day 06 -Monday
Udaipur >> Arrive - 1530 Hrs
Arrive in Udaipur, the city of lake palaces. Tour the temples, forts and palaces of Udaipur and enjoy your lunch at the Lake Palace Hotel. Also tour the City Palace where the kings of Mewar lived in royal splendor.
Departure 2000 hrs.
Palace on Wheels Day 07 - Tuesday
Bharatpur >> Arrive - 0600 Hrs
Arrive at Bharatpur and tour the Keoladeo Ghana Bird Sanctuary, a world famous bird sanctuary. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Bharatpur bird sanctuary is home to many species of rare birds including migratory birds from Europe and Central Asia.
Departure 11.45 hrs
Palace on Wheels Day 07 - Tuesday
Agra >> Arrive - 14.30 Hrs
Tour the heritage destination of Fatehpur Sikri. Enjoy your lunch at a hotel in Agra and view the beautiful Taj Mahal, built by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan.
Departure 2300 hrs.
Palace on Wheels Day 08 - Wednesday
Delhi >> Arrive - 0600 HRS
Enjoy your breakfast on board. Arrive at Delhi Cantonment Railway Station at 0600 hrs and disembark from the Palace on Wheels with unforgettable memories of your royal luxury train ride.
TRAIN DEPARTURES SCHEDULE
Every Wednesday from Delhi Cantonment Railway Stationfrom September to April
Year 2005 Departure Dates
January- 5,12,19,26
February - 2,9,16,23
March - 2,9,16,23,30
April - 6,13,20,27
September - 7,14,21,28
October - 5,12,19,26
November-2,9,16,23,30
December - 7,14,21,28 Year 2006 Departure Dates
January- 4,11,18,25
February - 1,8,15,22
March - 1,8,15,22,29
April - 5,12,19,26
September - 6,13,20,27
October - 4,11,18,25
November- 1,8,15,22,29
December - 6,13,20,27
TARIFF PER PERSON PER NIGHT FOR PALACE ON WHEELS
For Foreign Nationals
Type Currency October to March September and April
Single Occupancy US $ 485 395
Double Occupancy US $ 350 295
Triple Occupancy US $ 285 240
(Half fare for children between 5 and 12 years) Subject to change without notice
TARIFF PER PERSON PER NIGHT FOR PALACE ON WHEELS
For Residents
Type Currency October to March September and April
Single Occupancy Indian Rs 20,000 15,000
Double Occupancy Indian Rs 15,000 12,000
Triple Occupancy Indian Rs 12,000 9000
(Half fare for children between 5 and 12 years)
Subject to change without notice.
Palace on Wheels Day 01 - Wednesday
Delhi >> Board the Palace on Wheels
Begin your journey by boarding the Palace on Wheels at 1745 in the evening. Enjoy your dinner and stay overnight on the royal luxury train.
Palace on Wheels Day 02 - Thursday
Jaipur >> Arrive - 0000 Hrs
Arrive in Jaipur, where decorated elephants and Rajasthan musicians welcome you. Enjoy your lunch at the Rambagh Palace. Tour the attractions of Jaipur, including the Hawa Mahal and the Amer Fort.
Departure 1730 Hrs.
Palace on Wheels Day 03 - Friday
Jaisalmer >> Arrive - 0615 Hrs
Arrive at Jaisalmer, a city built in the 12th century, famous for its sandstone fort, known as the golden fort. See the beautifully carved havelis and mansions with windows covered with carved screens. Enjoy a camel safari across the desert. Have dinner under the sand dunes and leave with golden memories of Jaisalmer.
Departure 2300 Hrs.
Palace on Wheels Day 04 - Saturday
Jodhpur >> Arrive - 0800 Hrs
Tour the impressive Mehrangarh Fort, with its museum, decorated rooms and fortified ramparts. See the royal cenotaphs at the Jaswant Thada and enjoy your lunch at the grand Umaid Bhawan Palace. Departure 1530 hrs.
Palace on Wheels Day 05 -Sunday
Sawai Madhopur >> Arrive - 0400 Hrs
Arrive at Ranthambore, a world famous wildlife sanctuary. Enjoy a tiger safari in the Ranthambore National Park and see tigers, deer, monkeys and many more animals in the wild. Also tour the majestic Ranthambore Fort.
Departure 1100 hrs.
Palace on Wheels Day 05 -Sunday
Chittorgarh >> Arrive - 1530 Hrs
Arrive in Chittorgarh, a city with a history full of romance and bravery. See the grand fort and the tower of victory in Chittorgarh. Leave with memories of valor and sacrifice as travel to Udaipur on the Palace on Wheels.
Departure 2230 hrs.
Palace on Wheels Day 06 -Monday
Udaipur >> Arrive - 1530 Hrs
Arrive in Udaipur, the city of lake palaces. Tour the temples, forts and palaces of Udaipur and enjoy your lunch at the Lake Palace Hotel. Also tour the City Palace where the kings of Mewar lived in royal splendor.
Departure 2000 hrs.
Palace on Wheels Day 07 - Tuesday
Bharatpur >> Arrive - 0600 Hrs
Arrive at Bharatpur and tour the Keoladeo Ghana Bird Sanctuary, a world famous bird sanctuary. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Bharatpur bird sanctuary is home to many species of rare birds including migratory birds from Europe and Central Asia.
Departure 11.45 hrs
Palace on Wheels Day 07 - Tuesday
Agra >> Arrive - 14.30 Hrs
Tour the heritage destination of Fatehpur Sikri. Enjoy your lunch at a hotel in Agra and view the beautiful Taj Mahal, built by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan.
Departure 2300 hrs.
Palace on Wheels Day 08 - Wednesday
Delhi >> Arrive - 0600 HRS
Enjoy your breakfast on board. Arrive at Delhi Cantonment Railway Station at 0600 hrs and disembark from the Palace on Wheels with unforgettable memories of your royal luxury train ride.
TRAIN DEPARTURES SCHEDULE
Every Wednesday from Delhi Cantonment Railway Stationfrom September to April
Year 2005 Departure Dates
January- 5,12,19,26
February - 2,9,16,23
March - 2,9,16,23,30
April - 6,13,20,27
September - 7,14,21,28
October - 5,12,19,26
November-2,9,16,23,30
December - 7,14,21,28 Year 2006 Departure Dates
January- 4,11,18,25
February - 1,8,15,22
March - 1,8,15,22,29
April - 5,12,19,26
September - 6,13,20,27
October - 4,11,18,25
November- 1,8,15,22,29
December - 6,13,20,27
TARIFF PER PERSON PER NIGHT FOR PALACE ON WHEELS
For Foreign Nationals
Type Currency October to March September and April
Single Occupancy US $ 485 395
Double Occupancy US $ 350 295
Triple Occupancy US $ 285 240
(Half fare for children between 5 and 12 years) Subject to change without notice
TARIFF PER PERSON PER NIGHT FOR PALACE ON WHEELS
For Residents
Type Currency October to March September and April
Single Occupancy Indian Rs 20,000 15,000
Double Occupancy Indian Rs 15,000 12,000
Triple Occupancy Indian Rs 12,000 9000
(Half fare for children between 5 and 12 years)
Subject to change without notice.
Deccan Odyssey Train Tour
Deccan Odyssey The Deccan Odyssey Train tour is a journey across west India on a royal luxury train. Relax at ease in a train furnished in a manner fit for a king and have a journey of a lifetime. Stop and see historic palaces, forts and monuments. Watch the beautiful landscape of India pass by, as the luxury train carries you on a Deccan Odyssey. Experience a journey like no other when you travel with Fascinating India on the Deccan Odyssey luxury train tour.
Day 1: Wednesday - Mumbai
Board the Deccan Odyssey at Chhattrapati Shivaji Terminus at Mumbai in the evening. Enjoy your dinner on the Deccan Odyssey and sleep overnight on the train.
Day 2: Thursday - Jaigadh - Ganapatipule - Ratangiri
Arrive at Bhoke railway station in Maharashtra. Take an air-conditioned bus to the jetty for a ride to the Jaigadh Fort.Depart for Ganapatiphule by road. Enjoy relaxing on the beach and have lunch at a beach resort. Take a bus ride to Ratnagiri town. Tour the Ratnadurg Fort, Lokmanya Tilak Smarak and enjoy shopping at Ratnagiri Bazar. Drive to Ratnigiri Station to board the Deccan Odyssey. Enjoy your dinner and stay overnight on the train.
Day 3: Friday - Sindhudurg - Tarkarli - Sawantwadi
Arrive at Sindhudurg Nagari Railway Station in the morning. Take an a/c bus ride to Malvan Jetty to visit the Sindhudurg Sea Fort. Then proceed for Tarkali Beach Resort, where you can relax and have lunch in a beach resort. After lunch take a cruise ride from Tarkali creek to Kalse Jetty. Proceed to Sawantwadi where you can see local handicrafts, furniture and paintings at the crafts village or 'Shilpagrama'. Proceed for Sawantwadi Railway Station and board the Deccan Odyssey. Enjoy your dinner and stay overnight on the train.
Day 4: Saturday - Goa
Arrive at Karmali railway station in Goa, a sunny holiday spot on India's west coast. Take a bus to Old Goa and tour the churches of Goa including the Basilica of Born Jesus and Church of St. Francis of Assisi. Travel to Panjim and tour the city and bazaar. Enjoy your lunch at the Fort Aguada Beach Resort. Then travel to Dona Paula Beach. Later travel to Madgaon Railway Station to board the Deccan Odyssey. Enjoy your dinner and stay overnight on the train.
Day 5: Sunday - Pune
Arrive at Pune, in Maharashtra. Take a bus ride to the old central market, Mahatma Phule Mandai, and tour the Osho International Commune, the Raja Dinkar Kelkar Museum and Sir David Sasoon Synagogue built in 1867. Relax and enjoy your lunch at the Le Meridien Hotel. Later tour the Aga Khan Palace, Tribal Museum, and see the Sound and Light Show at Shaniwarwada. Return to Pune railway station to board the Deccan Odyssey. Enjoy your dinner and stay overnight on the train.
Day 6: Monday - Aurangabad
Arrive at Aurangabad. Travel by road to the Daulatabad Fort and historic Ellora Caves, known for their rock cut temples. Enjoy your lunch and the cultural programme at the Taj Hotel. After lunch proceed to the Shivaji museum, Aurangabad Caves and Bibi ka Maqbara, built by Aurangzeb for his wife. Enjoy shopping for crafts of the region including Paithani sarees, Himroo work and Bidriwork. Return to the railway station to board the Deccan Odyssey. Enjoy your dinner and stay overnight on the train.
Day 7: Tuesday - Ajanta & Nashik
Arrive at Jalgaon Railway Station. Take a bus to Fardapur Resort. Enjoy your breakfast and leave for the Ajanta Caves. These Buddhist cave temples are known for their frescoes and carvings. Take a bus to Bhusalwal Railway Station, board the Deccan Odyssey and travel to Nashik. Enjoy your lunch on board. Arrive at Nashik. Take a trip to the Panchawati Ghat and the Sula Winery. Enjoy your dinner at the winery. Return to Nashik railway station to board the Deccan Odyssey and stay overnight on the train.
Day 8: Wednesday - Mumbai
Wake up and enjoy your breakfast as the Deccan Odyssey returns to Mumbai. Disembark from the train at Mumbai with unforgettable memories of your Deccan Odyssey.
Deccan Odyssey Tariff
October to April
Single Occupancy US $ 485
Double Occupancy US $ 350
Triple Occupancy US $ 285
Presidential Suite US $ 700
April 2005
Single Occupancy US $ 395
Double Occupancy US $ 295
Triple Occupancy US $ 240
Presidential Suite US $ 550
(Half fare for children between 5 and 12 years)
Subject to change without notice.
Day 1: Wednesday - Mumbai
Board the Deccan Odyssey at Chhattrapati Shivaji Terminus at Mumbai in the evening. Enjoy your dinner on the Deccan Odyssey and sleep overnight on the train.
Day 2: Thursday - Jaigadh - Ganapatipule - Ratangiri
Arrive at Bhoke railway station in Maharashtra. Take an air-conditioned bus to the jetty for a ride to the Jaigadh Fort.Depart for Ganapatiphule by road. Enjoy relaxing on the beach and have lunch at a beach resort. Take a bus ride to Ratnagiri town. Tour the Ratnadurg Fort, Lokmanya Tilak Smarak and enjoy shopping at Ratnagiri Bazar. Drive to Ratnigiri Station to board the Deccan Odyssey. Enjoy your dinner and stay overnight on the train.
Day 3: Friday - Sindhudurg - Tarkarli - Sawantwadi
Arrive at Sindhudurg Nagari Railway Station in the morning. Take an a/c bus ride to Malvan Jetty to visit the Sindhudurg Sea Fort. Then proceed for Tarkali Beach Resort, where you can relax and have lunch in a beach resort. After lunch take a cruise ride from Tarkali creek to Kalse Jetty. Proceed to Sawantwadi where you can see local handicrafts, furniture and paintings at the crafts village or 'Shilpagrama'. Proceed for Sawantwadi Railway Station and board the Deccan Odyssey. Enjoy your dinner and stay overnight on the train.
Day 4: Saturday - Goa
Arrive at Karmali railway station in Goa, a sunny holiday spot on India's west coast. Take a bus to Old Goa and tour the churches of Goa including the Basilica of Born Jesus and Church of St. Francis of Assisi. Travel to Panjim and tour the city and bazaar. Enjoy your lunch at the Fort Aguada Beach Resort. Then travel to Dona Paula Beach. Later travel to Madgaon Railway Station to board the Deccan Odyssey. Enjoy your dinner and stay overnight on the train.
Day 5: Sunday - Pune
Arrive at Pune, in Maharashtra. Take a bus ride to the old central market, Mahatma Phule Mandai, and tour the Osho International Commune, the Raja Dinkar Kelkar Museum and Sir David Sasoon Synagogue built in 1867. Relax and enjoy your lunch at the Le Meridien Hotel. Later tour the Aga Khan Palace, Tribal Museum, and see the Sound and Light Show at Shaniwarwada. Return to Pune railway station to board the Deccan Odyssey. Enjoy your dinner and stay overnight on the train.
Day 6: Monday - Aurangabad
Arrive at Aurangabad. Travel by road to the Daulatabad Fort and historic Ellora Caves, known for their rock cut temples. Enjoy your lunch and the cultural programme at the Taj Hotel. After lunch proceed to the Shivaji museum, Aurangabad Caves and Bibi ka Maqbara, built by Aurangzeb for his wife. Enjoy shopping for crafts of the region including Paithani sarees, Himroo work and Bidriwork. Return to the railway station to board the Deccan Odyssey. Enjoy your dinner and stay overnight on the train.
Day 7: Tuesday - Ajanta & Nashik
Arrive at Jalgaon Railway Station. Take a bus to Fardapur Resort. Enjoy your breakfast and leave for the Ajanta Caves. These Buddhist cave temples are known for their frescoes and carvings. Take a bus to Bhusalwal Railway Station, board the Deccan Odyssey and travel to Nashik. Enjoy your lunch on board. Arrive at Nashik. Take a trip to the Panchawati Ghat and the Sula Winery. Enjoy your dinner at the winery. Return to Nashik railway station to board the Deccan Odyssey and stay overnight on the train.
Day 8: Wednesday - Mumbai
Wake up and enjoy your breakfast as the Deccan Odyssey returns to Mumbai. Disembark from the train at Mumbai with unforgettable memories of your Deccan Odyssey.
Deccan Odyssey Tariff
October to April
Single Occupancy US $ 485
Double Occupancy US $ 350
Triple Occupancy US $ 285
Presidential Suite US $ 700
April 2005
Single Occupancy US $ 395
Double Occupancy US $ 295
Triple Occupancy US $ 240
Presidential Suite US $ 550
(Half fare for children between 5 and 12 years)
Subject to change without notice.
Indian Rail Travel
Rail travel is an integral part of the travel experience in India. The Indian Railways system is legendary and is the second largest in the world has over 63,028 Km of track laid between 6,853 stations. Today it offers diverse tourist routes, good hotels on wheels with five star services and Indian rail passes. Ideal for extensive trouble-free tour across India.
To explore the splendor of multi-faceted India, Indian Railways provide excellent value for money and enhance the charm of holidays for visitors. With the introduction of Palace on Wheels, a new script has been written by the Indian Railways in the category of luxury travel. It takes you on a royal odyssey in train.
* Deccan Odyssey Train Tour
* Palace on Wheels Train Tour
* Royal Orient Train Tour
Indian Rail Tour, Travel by Rail in India
Holiday by Rails, India
The Royal Orient Train is another attempt in this direction. Besides these, there are also numerous Mail and Express trains covering the length and breadth of India. Rajdhani and Shatabdi Express trains provide all the conveniences including food.
To explore the splendor of multi-faceted India, Indian Railways provide excellent value for money and enhance the charm of holidays for visitors. With the introduction of Palace on Wheels, a new script has been written by the Indian Railways in the category of luxury travel. It takes you on a royal odyssey in train.
* Deccan Odyssey Train Tour
* Palace on Wheels Train Tour
* Royal Orient Train Tour
Indian Rail Tour, Travel by Rail in India
Holiday by Rails, India
The Royal Orient Train is another attempt in this direction. Besides these, there are also numerous Mail and Express trains covering the length and breadth of India. Rajdhani and Shatabdi Express trains provide all the conveniences including food.
Tour of Palace on Wheels in India
Kuuuuu& Chuk Chuk!!! Doesn't the whistle of the luxury train seem to invite you, If your answer is not in affirmative, it soon will be. After having gone through this article you will have a strong desire be onboard the luxury trains of India. The Palace on Wheels, the Royal Orient and the Toy Trains are the pride of Indian Railways, the largest passenger train service in the world.
The train tourism in India has actually done wonders bringing to life the concept of 'live life king-size'. The luxury trains of India namely the Palace-on-Wheels and the Royal Orient do more than providing opportunity of sightseeing the Indian States of Rajasthan and Gujarat. They offer an unforgettable holiday experience. The Palace on Wheels lives by its name and is no less than a fort on the swing. The lavish lifestyle, the facilities, the décor, the comfort and the style have made the first tourist train of India the most sought after. The journey is like a dream come true.
In a way it is the fusion of the East with the West, it is the amalgamation of all the modern day facilities including the air conditioners, bars etc. with the trails through the picturesque cities of Rajasthan. The marvelous train that today is a joint effort of the Rajasthan Tourism Development Corporation and the Indian Railways is a legacy from the Rajputanas, the Viceroy of the British India and the Nizam of Hyderabad.
The slow yet steady track takes the tourists through the lows of the Indian Desert and the highs of the Aravalli range. The itinerary of the royal trip has been thoughtfully planned to concentrate on the journey at night and focus on sight seeing during the daytime. The shopping sprees in the bustling bazaars have also been well taken care of. Tourism aboard the Palace-on-Wheels is an excellent opportunity to enjoy the legendary traditional hospitality of India and in the royal state, Rajasthan. The spectacular combination of the sight, sound and smell of royal India will not fail to sweep you off your feet. Plus you get to savor the taste of celebrated Indian food. The views of terrific Taj Mahal, huge Hawa Mahal and its likes make the tour an absolute joy.
During this excursion, the tourists are overwhelmed with the beauty at the major stations of Jaipur, Chittaurgarh, Udaipur, Jaisalmer, Jodhpur and Bharatpur, and Agra chugging through the culturally colorful states of Rajasthan and Gujarat. The welcoming elephants, garlands, music and dance can never fail to enchant any of the tourists. What better way of touring Rajasthan than being aboard the Palace-on-Wheels. The Desert Queen of Rajasthan has contributed immensely to the promotion of tourism in the state as well as in India.
You may even opt for a voyage onboard the Royal Orient, the train offering both style and comfort. The Royal Orient of India happens to be one of the most exotic trains in the world. It is a project of the Tourism Corporation of Gujarat Limited along with the Indian Railways. The rainbow of cities trotted by the royal extravagance of the bygone era include Delhi, Chittaurgarh, Junagarh, Veraval, Somnath, Sasan Gir, Ahmedpur, Mandvi/Palitana/ Sarkhej, Ahmedabad and Jaipur. For the pious tourists the halt at Somnath gives them the opportunity to offer prayers at one of the twelve holiest Shiva temples. For all the tourists the 11th century Shiva temple is a must visit. The temple was repeatedly destroyed and each time rebuilt in a more magnificent manner. For the wildlife freaks there is the opportunity to spot the Asiatic Lion in its natural habitat at the Sasan Gir Sanctuary. The 863 Jain temples in hills of Palitana have a charm of their own. Basking in the sun at the Ahmedpur Mandvi beach is a beautiful experience.
The range of stations varies from placid, ancient temples, a stunning sea resort and exotic wild life. It runs through the months of September to April. The memories will for sure be as golden as the sand. Relish the recreation of the extravaganza of the bygone princely era in Indian holiday. The weeklong journey aboard the Royal Orient is the best way to enjoy the Indian states of Rajasthan and Gujarat. The holiday on Royal Orient offers you
Besides the Royal trains, the toy trains of India have attracted many a tourists. The ride on the train with a 4500 kilometers track chugs through the popular hill stations of the country like Shimal, Darjeeling, Ooty/ Udagamandalam or Ootacamund and Matheran. The toy trains are called so because of the narrow gauge railway lines they ride on. The Matheran Light Railway is another tourist attraction in India. The tiny mountain train commences its journey from Neral that is well connected by Mumbai suburban trains. The rail and road play hide and seek with each other, meeting and disappearing time and again.
The gradual gradient and the little toy trains urge you to be patient in life and enjoy each moment as it comes. Puffing along the jungles of Sal and teak, mountains, rocks and orchids. The nature seems to be at its best with the pace of the train and the rhythm of life.
The wondrous miniature of rail engineering that offers the most scenic beauties of the Himalayas from Kalka to Shimla and another from Jal Pai Guri to Darjeeling. The tourists are attracted to the old-world-charm offered by the toy train from Kalka to Shimla.
Promoting the train tourism in India is the Kangra Railway. Across the picturesque Kangra valley in the northern Indian state of Himachal Pradesh the Kangra Railway is an experience in itself. There are not many places in India that can match the picturesque beauty of the Kangra valley in the sub-Himalayas. The beautiful glens and streams pass by the train making the journey a pleasure.
Down south we have a baffling trip around the Nilgiris, the mysterious tinge of blue that made the mountain name to be called so. The journey through the tea and coffee plantations, into the dense forests and up to the mountains offers the humming insects and the chirping birds simultaneously. Deep ravines and the cascading green slopes come as bonuses to the tourists of the Indian railways. These spots have repeatedly attracted members of the film industry. The mysterious mist will refresh you for quiet a few days though the Blue Mountain Railway has already completed its centenary. No doubt the train tourism is doing so well in the Nilgiri Mountain Railway.
So have you got your tickets booked for an odyssey of a lifetime? The royal week ahead awaits you with the accompanying family and friends. Be the 'Prince' or the 'Princess' as soon as you can! Wander amongst the blues of the hills and feel the morning mist that will rejuvenate you better than any of the gels, for sure.
The train tourism in India has actually done wonders bringing to life the concept of 'live life king-size'. The luxury trains of India namely the Palace-on-Wheels and the Royal Orient do more than providing opportunity of sightseeing the Indian States of Rajasthan and Gujarat. They offer an unforgettable holiday experience. The Palace on Wheels lives by its name and is no less than a fort on the swing. The lavish lifestyle, the facilities, the décor, the comfort and the style have made the first tourist train of India the most sought after. The journey is like a dream come true.
In a way it is the fusion of the East with the West, it is the amalgamation of all the modern day facilities including the air conditioners, bars etc. with the trails through the picturesque cities of Rajasthan. The marvelous train that today is a joint effort of the Rajasthan Tourism Development Corporation and the Indian Railways is a legacy from the Rajputanas, the Viceroy of the British India and the Nizam of Hyderabad.
The slow yet steady track takes the tourists through the lows of the Indian Desert and the highs of the Aravalli range. The itinerary of the royal trip has been thoughtfully planned to concentrate on the journey at night and focus on sight seeing during the daytime. The shopping sprees in the bustling bazaars have also been well taken care of. Tourism aboard the Palace-on-Wheels is an excellent opportunity to enjoy the legendary traditional hospitality of India and in the royal state, Rajasthan. The spectacular combination of the sight, sound and smell of royal India will not fail to sweep you off your feet. Plus you get to savor the taste of celebrated Indian food. The views of terrific Taj Mahal, huge Hawa Mahal and its likes make the tour an absolute joy.
During this excursion, the tourists are overwhelmed with the beauty at the major stations of Jaipur, Chittaurgarh, Udaipur, Jaisalmer, Jodhpur and Bharatpur, and Agra chugging through the culturally colorful states of Rajasthan and Gujarat. The welcoming elephants, garlands, music and dance can never fail to enchant any of the tourists. What better way of touring Rajasthan than being aboard the Palace-on-Wheels. The Desert Queen of Rajasthan has contributed immensely to the promotion of tourism in the state as well as in India.
You may even opt for a voyage onboard the Royal Orient, the train offering both style and comfort. The Royal Orient of India happens to be one of the most exotic trains in the world. It is a project of the Tourism Corporation of Gujarat Limited along with the Indian Railways. The rainbow of cities trotted by the royal extravagance of the bygone era include Delhi, Chittaurgarh, Junagarh, Veraval, Somnath, Sasan Gir, Ahmedpur, Mandvi/Palitana/ Sarkhej, Ahmedabad and Jaipur. For the pious tourists the halt at Somnath gives them the opportunity to offer prayers at one of the twelve holiest Shiva temples. For all the tourists the 11th century Shiva temple is a must visit. The temple was repeatedly destroyed and each time rebuilt in a more magnificent manner. For the wildlife freaks there is the opportunity to spot the Asiatic Lion in its natural habitat at the Sasan Gir Sanctuary. The 863 Jain temples in hills of Palitana have a charm of their own. Basking in the sun at the Ahmedpur Mandvi beach is a beautiful experience.
The range of stations varies from placid, ancient temples, a stunning sea resort and exotic wild life. It runs through the months of September to April. The memories will for sure be as golden as the sand. Relish the recreation of the extravaganza of the bygone princely era in Indian holiday. The weeklong journey aboard the Royal Orient is the best way to enjoy the Indian states of Rajasthan and Gujarat. The holiday on Royal Orient offers you
Besides the Royal trains, the toy trains of India have attracted many a tourists. The ride on the train with a 4500 kilometers track chugs through the popular hill stations of the country like Shimal, Darjeeling, Ooty/ Udagamandalam or Ootacamund and Matheran. The toy trains are called so because of the narrow gauge railway lines they ride on. The Matheran Light Railway is another tourist attraction in India. The tiny mountain train commences its journey from Neral that is well connected by Mumbai suburban trains. The rail and road play hide and seek with each other, meeting and disappearing time and again.
The gradual gradient and the little toy trains urge you to be patient in life and enjoy each moment as it comes. Puffing along the jungles of Sal and teak, mountains, rocks and orchids. The nature seems to be at its best with the pace of the train and the rhythm of life.
The wondrous miniature of rail engineering that offers the most scenic beauties of the Himalayas from Kalka to Shimla and another from Jal Pai Guri to Darjeeling. The tourists are attracted to the old-world-charm offered by the toy train from Kalka to Shimla.
Promoting the train tourism in India is the Kangra Railway. Across the picturesque Kangra valley in the northern Indian state of Himachal Pradesh the Kangra Railway is an experience in itself. There are not many places in India that can match the picturesque beauty of the Kangra valley in the sub-Himalayas. The beautiful glens and streams pass by the train making the journey a pleasure.
Down south we have a baffling trip around the Nilgiris, the mysterious tinge of blue that made the mountain name to be called so. The journey through the tea and coffee plantations, into the dense forests and up to the mountains offers the humming insects and the chirping birds simultaneously. Deep ravines and the cascading green slopes come as bonuses to the tourists of the Indian railways. These spots have repeatedly attracted members of the film industry. The mysterious mist will refresh you for quiet a few days though the Blue Mountain Railway has already completed its centenary. No doubt the train tourism is doing so well in the Nilgiri Mountain Railway.
So have you got your tickets booked for an odyssey of a lifetime? The royal week ahead awaits you with the accompanying family and friends. Be the 'Prince' or the 'Princess' as soon as you can! Wander amongst the blues of the hills and feel the morning mist that will rejuvenate you better than any of the gels, for sure.
East India Train Travel Coverage
East india : Arunachal Pradesh » Meghalaya » Mizoram » Tripura » Assam » Nagaland » Manipur »
Orissa » West Bangal » Darjeeling » Sikkim
North-East of India is the land of Blue Mountains, Green Valleys and Red River. Nestled in the Eastern Himalayas this region is abundant in Natural Beauty, Wild life, Flora & Fauna and its Colorful people. A blend of all these makes it the most beautiful Eco-Tourism destination in South Asia. North-East of India was one political entity named Assam before the rest of the states were carved out of it. The north eastern region of India constitutes five states and two union territories. It is the least explored region of India for various reasons which include the infrastructure, special permits and sensitivity of the of the whole region. The area is dominated by the tribes speaking many different languages and dialects. These states and union territories border with Myanmar, Bhutan, China and Bangladesh and connect rest of the India through Siliguri corridor.
Orissa » West Bangal » Darjeeling » Sikkim
North-East of India is the land of Blue Mountains, Green Valleys and Red River. Nestled in the Eastern Himalayas this region is abundant in Natural Beauty, Wild life, Flora & Fauna and its Colorful people. A blend of all these makes it the most beautiful Eco-Tourism destination in South Asia. North-East of India was one political entity named Assam before the rest of the states were carved out of it. The north eastern region of India constitutes five states and two union territories. It is the least explored region of India for various reasons which include the infrastructure, special permits and sensitivity of the of the whole region. The area is dominated by the tribes speaking many different languages and dialects. These states and union territories border with Myanmar, Bhutan, China and Bangladesh and connect rest of the India through Siliguri corridor.
Metrolink Major Train Tour
METROLINK
Day 01 Arrive Delhi On arrival a warm welcome by our staff and transfer to your hotel. Overnight stay at the hotel.
.Day 02 Delhi Enjoy a sightseeing tour of Old and New Delhi. Besides normal sightseeing tours following additional activities can be incorporated:-Visit to the National Railway Museum, Excursion to the Steam Shed at Rewari and a visit to the Railway Stations of Delhi. On Wednesdays visit the Delhi Cantt station for viewing the Palace on Wheels. You can also visit the New Delhi Station from the State Entry road to view the Reserved Carriages with a direct access from Connaught Place. It is also possible to arrange guest lectures by senior railway officials and / or rail fans. Slide shows on specific subjects, trips and the history of the Indian Railways can be arranged.
Day 03 Delhi / Agra Transfer to New Delhi Station for Shatabdi Express to Agra Cantt. The Journey aboard the Shatabdi Express is the fastest ride in the country today. Assistance on arrival and transfer to hotel. Later visit the Red Fort and the majestic Taj Mahal.
Day 04 Agra / Jaipur Morning option of a sunrise visit to the Taj Mahal to capture the changing moods and shades on this marble structure. Afternoon free for own activities. In the evening transfer to railway station to board the Agra / Jaipur train.
Day 05 Jaipur Pink City tour includes visit to the majestic Amber Fort, Wind Palace, Water Palace, City Palace, Observatory & the glittering bazaars of Jaipur. Return to your hotel for overnight stay.
Day 06 Jaipur / Jodhpur Morning free at Jaipur. Later board train for Jodhpur. Upon arrival check-in at a hotel. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 07 Jodhpur / Deogarh City tour of Jodhpur includes a visit to Mehrangarh Fort and Jaswant Thada. In the afternoon drive to Deogarh. On arrival check-in at the wonderful Deogarh palace.
Day 08 Deogarh / Phulad / Ranakpur Morning drive to railway station to board train to Phulad. Reach Phulad Jn and proceed to Ranakpur. Later visit the wonderful three temples of the Jain sect at Ranakpur dating back to the 14th /15th century. Overnight stay at Ranakpur.
Day 09 Ranakpur / Udaipur After breakfast drive to Udaipur, the city considered to be a romantic city- with its lakes, gardens, temples and palaces - an oasis in the Thar Desert. On arrival check in at hotel. Afternoon enjoy boat ride on the Pichola Lake. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 10 Udaipur / Ahmedabad After breakfast enjoy a city tour of Udaipur visiting City Palace, Jagdish Temple, drive around Fatehsagar Lake, Sahelion ki Bari and Bhartiya Lok Kala Mandir. In the afternoon drive to Ahmedabad. Upon arrival transfer to hotel.
Day 11 Ahmedabad In the morning enjoy a city tour of Ahmedabad. Optional: excursion to Viramgam Jn. It is also possible to take a short train ride on the main line towards Vadodara whose Gaekwad rulers set up many railway projects and laid narrow gauge lines in the erstwhile state. Return to Ahmedabad in the evening for an overnight stay.
Day 12 Ahmedabad / Mumbai Morning free at leisure. Evening transfer to railway station to board the Gujarat Mail to Mumbai Central. Overnight on board the train.
Day 13 Mumbai Early morning arrival at Mumbai Central Railway Station and transfer to hotel. Afternoon tour of Mumbai city. Among the principal Railway related activities that can be undertaken in Mumbai are :- 1)A visit to the Chhatrapati shivaji Terminus (Mumbai VT) station, also rated as a World Heritage site. 2) See the Deccan Odyssey rake at Mumbai VT (departs every Wednesday at 1600 hrs) " 3) Visit to the suburban Terminus at Dadar Central which is among the busiest Railway stations in the country.
Day 14 Mumbai / Bhusaval Jn / Aurangabad Depart for Bhusaval Jn, gateway to the Ajanta Caves - the site of 2000 years Old World famous colossal rock-cut temples of Ajanta. After a visit to the Caves continue on to Aurangabad city. On arrival transfer to hotel for overnight stay.
Day 15 Aurangabad After breakfast, proceed for an excursion to Ellora caves. These are carved in the volcanic rocks & are among the finest in India. There are 34 caves - 12 Buddhist created (600-800 AD), 17 Hindu (600-900 AD), 5 Jain(600-1100 AD).For overnight stay return to Aurangabad. Imp: Ellora is closed on Tuesdays.
Day 16 Aurangabad / Mumbai Morning free for individual activities. Later in the afternoon transfer to airport to connect flight to Bombay. On arrival, transfer to a hotel for dinner before continuing on to the international airport for return flight back home.
Day 01 Arrive Delhi On arrival a warm welcome by our staff and transfer to your hotel. Overnight stay at the hotel.
.Day 02 Delhi Enjoy a sightseeing tour of Old and New Delhi. Besides normal sightseeing tours following additional activities can be incorporated:-Visit to the National Railway Museum, Excursion to the Steam Shed at Rewari and a visit to the Railway Stations of Delhi. On Wednesdays visit the Delhi Cantt station for viewing the Palace on Wheels. You can also visit the New Delhi Station from the State Entry road to view the Reserved Carriages with a direct access from Connaught Place. It is also possible to arrange guest lectures by senior railway officials and / or rail fans. Slide shows on specific subjects, trips and the history of the Indian Railways can be arranged.
Day 03 Delhi / Agra Transfer to New Delhi Station for Shatabdi Express to Agra Cantt. The Journey aboard the Shatabdi Express is the fastest ride in the country today. Assistance on arrival and transfer to hotel. Later visit the Red Fort and the majestic Taj Mahal.
Day 04 Agra / Jaipur Morning option of a sunrise visit to the Taj Mahal to capture the changing moods and shades on this marble structure. Afternoon free for own activities. In the evening transfer to railway station to board the Agra / Jaipur train.
Day 05 Jaipur Pink City tour includes visit to the majestic Amber Fort, Wind Palace, Water Palace, City Palace, Observatory & the glittering bazaars of Jaipur. Return to your hotel for overnight stay.
Day 06 Jaipur / Jodhpur Morning free at Jaipur. Later board train for Jodhpur. Upon arrival check-in at a hotel. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 07 Jodhpur / Deogarh City tour of Jodhpur includes a visit to Mehrangarh Fort and Jaswant Thada. In the afternoon drive to Deogarh. On arrival check-in at the wonderful Deogarh palace.
Day 08 Deogarh / Phulad / Ranakpur Morning drive to railway station to board train to Phulad. Reach Phulad Jn and proceed to Ranakpur. Later visit the wonderful three temples of the Jain sect at Ranakpur dating back to the 14th /15th century. Overnight stay at Ranakpur.
Day 09 Ranakpur / Udaipur After breakfast drive to Udaipur, the city considered to be a romantic city- with its lakes, gardens, temples and palaces - an oasis in the Thar Desert. On arrival check in at hotel. Afternoon enjoy boat ride on the Pichola Lake. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 10 Udaipur / Ahmedabad After breakfast enjoy a city tour of Udaipur visiting City Palace, Jagdish Temple, drive around Fatehsagar Lake, Sahelion ki Bari and Bhartiya Lok Kala Mandir. In the afternoon drive to Ahmedabad. Upon arrival transfer to hotel.
Day 11 Ahmedabad In the morning enjoy a city tour of Ahmedabad. Optional: excursion to Viramgam Jn. It is also possible to take a short train ride on the main line towards Vadodara whose Gaekwad rulers set up many railway projects and laid narrow gauge lines in the erstwhile state. Return to Ahmedabad in the evening for an overnight stay.
Day 12 Ahmedabad / Mumbai Morning free at leisure. Evening transfer to railway station to board the Gujarat Mail to Mumbai Central. Overnight on board the train.
Day 13 Mumbai Early morning arrival at Mumbai Central Railway Station and transfer to hotel. Afternoon tour of Mumbai city. Among the principal Railway related activities that can be undertaken in Mumbai are :- 1)A visit to the Chhatrapati shivaji Terminus (Mumbai VT) station, also rated as a World Heritage site. 2) See the Deccan Odyssey rake at Mumbai VT (departs every Wednesday at 1600 hrs) " 3) Visit to the suburban Terminus at Dadar Central which is among the busiest Railway stations in the country.
Day 14 Mumbai / Bhusaval Jn / Aurangabad Depart for Bhusaval Jn, gateway to the Ajanta Caves - the site of 2000 years Old World famous colossal rock-cut temples of Ajanta. After a visit to the Caves continue on to Aurangabad city. On arrival transfer to hotel for overnight stay.
Day 15 Aurangabad After breakfast, proceed for an excursion to Ellora caves. These are carved in the volcanic rocks & are among the finest in India. There are 34 caves - 12 Buddhist created (600-800 AD), 17 Hindu (600-900 AD), 5 Jain(600-1100 AD).For overnight stay return to Aurangabad. Imp: Ellora is closed on Tuesdays.
Day 16 Aurangabad / Mumbai Morning free for individual activities. Later in the afternoon transfer to airport to connect flight to Bombay. On arrival, transfer to a hotel for dinner before continuing on to the international airport for return flight back home.
Sunday, July 27, 2008
HILL RAILWAYS
HILL RAILWAYS
There is nothing to match the experience of chugging up the hills. If you have some time to spare, then take a slow toy train up to the hill resorts of Shimla, Ooty (Udhagamandalam), Darjeeling or Matheran.
Embark on an out-of-the-ordinary journey up to the hills -
SHIMLA - The toy train journey from Kalka to Shimla is entrancing with 107 tunnels and lofty arched bridges. The dazzling view and the stop at the picturesque stations along the way add to the experience.
Access to Shimla: Shimla is connected by a broad gauge line up to Kalka. From Kalka to Shimla, the "toy train" covers 96 km. of track in six hours.
OOTY (UDHAGAMANDALAM) - At a maximum speed of 33km per hour, this "toy train" treks across plains, plantation and forest clad hills. The 16 tunnels and tall girder bridges on the way, along with the breathtaking view, make this toy train journey to Ooty, something not to be missed.
Access to Ooty: Ooty is connected by a narrow gauge line from Mettupalayam, which serves as the railhead for mainline trains.
DARJEELING - The most famous of the little trains, is the one linking the town of New Jalpaiguri in the plains to the lovely hill station of Darjeeling. The 86km Darjeeling line allows the traveller an uninterrupted view of the breathtaking scenery of the Himalayas. Darjeeling Himalayan Railways (DHR) is recognised as "World Heritage Site" by UNESCO.
Access to Darjeeling: New Jalpaiguri, the starting point of the hill train to Darjeeling, has direct connections to Calcutta, Delhi, Guwahati and other places in India.
MATHERAN - The 77-year-old line, connecting Neral to Matheran, is the main way to reach the tiny hill resort, close to Mumbai. As the little train wheezes up into the clear mountain air one can view the scenic vista of hills and plains below.
Access to Matheran: The toy train to Matheran commences from Neral (on Mumbai - Pune line). The journey up to Matheran takes about one-and-half hours. The toy train runs between sunrise and sunset.
SHIVALIK DELUXE EXPRESS - introduced on the lines of Shatabdi Express this train chugging its way up the hills has only one stop - Barog. The journey time is 4hrs 45min. The amenity fittings match the modern times - wall to wall carpets, wide glass windows, reversible cushioned chairs, improved toilet facilities, cabins for couples, tables for meals, tube lights, music system, micro phones for communication with the guard to name just a few. With a sitting capacity of 120 it connects the Howrah-Kalka mail. Breakfast is served in Up and dinner in Down direction.
SHIVALIK PALACE - For an exciting and charming journey for the elite class tourist between Kalka and Shimla, this Tourist Coach has free on board catering with an exclusive range of kitchenware. Special features include - decorative lights, musical cordless bell, music system, variety of indoor games, magazines and books, most ultra modern amenity fittings in bathroom, artificial decorative plants, dining table with beautiful cushioned chairs, folding beds etc. Shivalik Palace is meant normally for a party of 6 persons. Two complimentary retiring rooms at Shimla is also provided for the tourists travelling on this train for one day.
SHIVALIK QUEEN - Also on the Kalka - Shimla line this Tourist Coach has been launched for honeymooners. Each coupe offers exclusive privacy and big windows for panoramic view of hills. The coupe has wall-to-wall carpet and the windows are elegantly curtained. All meals are provided on the train. There is an alarm bell for communication with driver while microphone keeps you in touch with the guard. Free newspaper and magazines are provided at Kalka and Shimla.
Indian Railway Current News
Indian Railways concerned over drop in steel cos’ input movement
Kolkata, July 22, 2008: The Indian Railways has taken up the issue of drop in the movement of raw materials with the major steel producers. Iron ore loading in first quarter dropped by about 20 per cent; the hot metal production in some of the major steel plants too declined during the period.
In the first quarter, according to Joint Plant Committee sources, the hot metal production in SAIL plants dropped by 8 per cent and in Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Ltd’s Visakhapatnam plant by 7 per cent. While Tata Steel’s Jamshedpur plant posted more than 3 per cent growth in production, the overall production by major steel producers slumped by nearly 4 per cent during the period.
Source: The Hindu
Indian help for railway sector
COLOMBO, July 22,2008: The Indian Government has pledged US $ 168 million to Sri Lanka to develop the island’s railways sector. The financial assistance, provided under the Indian Credit Line (ICL) will be used to upgrade Sri Lanka’s coastal railway line hit by the 2004 tsunami and to strengthen the operating fleet of the Railways Department.
Accordingly, the existing rail track from Kalutara to Matara is to be replaced by an improved track made of concrete sleepers and new rails, while a new, advanced signal system will also be installed. The Indian Rail Construction Company has taken up the renovation project estimated to cost US $ 78 million.
Among the other benefits to be received under the ICL are 20 new diesel electrical power sets and three engines for the Railways Department, to be purchased from Rail India Technical and Economy (RITE). Three locomotives required for track maintenance and maintenance machinery worth US $ two million will also be provided under the scheme. The agreement relating to the supply contract was signed between RITE representatives and Transport Ministry Secretary Thilak Kollure yesterday, in the presence of Transport Minister Dullas Alahapperuma.
Source: Sri Lanka News
Ordinary train with AC coach
ADRA (Purulia), July 18, 2008: The long-standing demand to accommodate a three-tier air-conditioned (3A) coach in the 315 and 316 passenger trains, running between Howrah and Chakradharpur, through Purulia was granted at last. A three-tier air- conditioned (3A) coach has been introduced in the 315 and 316 passenger trains from Howrah and from Chakradharpur which would run only during the night, on Monday and Tuesday respectively.
"It will run regularly," Mr Basudeb Acharia, MP of Bankura and, also the chairman of Parliamentary Standing Committee on Railways, informed: "This is the first time in the history of Indian Railways that an AC sleeper coach has been accommodated inside a passenger train."
Earlier an express train, 'Rupasi Bangla' ran regularly between Howrah and Purulia. It is the first train in the last 150 years of Indian Railways that might become a local train (passenger special) between Purulia and Chandil of South Eastern Railway. The passenger special has introduced stops at six different stations and also boasts of an air-conditioned chair car coach which is a rarity in the Indian Railways. Mr Om Prakesh Chaube, divisional railway manager of Adra in South Eastern Railway, also admitted: "Such kind of train services are the rarest in Indian Railways~ an express train with super charges, running between six or more stations at a local fare."
Source: Statesman
India’s First Ginger Rail Yatri Niwas with modern facilities
July 17, 2008: Shri K.C.Jena, Chairman, Railway Board inaugurated the renovated New Delhi Rail Yatri Niwas, India’s first Ginger Rail Yatri Niwas here today. The renovated Rail Yatri Niwas developed by Indian Railway Catering & Tourism Corporation Limited (IRCTC) and the Roots Corporation Limited (RCL), stands tall sparkling new at the Ajmeri Gate side of the New Delhi Railway Station in new earthly hues and shiny warm reds. This hotel was originally built in 1988 as part of Indian Railways efforts to offer hotel rooms to the railway passengers at reasonable prices.
The hotel was stripped to its bare shell and renovated with an investment of about Rs. 10.5 crores to offer the customers 109 SMART BASICS rooms and a plethora of additional facilities. A guest at the hotel now has a choice of well fitted orange and blue theme rooms with LCD TVs, posturepedic mattresses, anti allergy pillows, tropical duvets, Smart Bev Tea Coffee Maker, complimentary bottles of water and an access card to enter the room. The hotel also offers a gymnasium and a meeting room for the convenience of its guests.
Additionally, it will offer 24 x 7 restaurant, that will offer an array of food from across India and different parts of the world. A book store for catering to a traveler’s intellectual appetite and a 24 x 7 medical store. The rooms will be offered at an incredible price of Rs. 1199/- inclusive of taxes. Fifty per cent of the rooms will be offered at Rs. 999/- per room per night inclusive of taxes. This hotel will also have four bedded rooms where each bed will be offered at Rs.250/- for a night. It is located above the Delhi metro station. Rail travelers can call on the Toll Free Number 1800 2093333 OR 011 – 66633333. Bookings can also be made through an email at reservations@gingerhotels.com
Source: PIB Press Release
Indian Railways trains to have internet soon
July 16, 2008, The day is not too far off when you can access internet on trains. If the pilot runs being conducted on the Mumbai-Ahemedabad train turns successful, passengers will have the luxury of logging on to their computers on running trains. Hughes Communications India, a provider of satellite broadband services, was awarded the mandate to set up the first dedicated VSAT (very small aperture terminal hub) for the Indian Railways.
Mr Krishna of Hughes says: “Satellite dishes will be installed at the front and tail-end of the train.” Hughes has successfully installed this architecture in over a 100 trains in Europe. The slew of facilities the Railways are planning to introduce are disaster communication systems on accident relief trains (ART), streamlining the unreserved ticketing system (UTS) and providing freight operating information system (FOIS) even in remote locations.
The commissioning of the dedicated VSAT hub will allow the Railways connect 1,000 locations across 19 states as against 200 earlier. This new system will help the Railways have voice and data connectivity for their services in remote stations where fixed and mobile network of telecom operators had not reached.
Source:The Economic Times
Railways may use bio-diesel at Rs 31.34/litre
New Delhi, July 12, 2008: Indian Railways is likely to procure bio-diesel at Rs 31.34 a litre, which is about Rs 3-3.50 lower than the price it currently pays for high-speed diesel. Railways had floated a tender in the second half of 2007 to procure 50,000 kilo litres of bio-diesel. Initially, Railways plans to use bio-diesel at ten per cent blending levels in all its 38 mainline locomotive sheds on a pilot basis. “If the project is successful, the blending levels can be moved further up,” said sources.
Bulk of the bio-diesel to be procured is expected to be an imported crude
palm- oil derivative, the technology for which is patented by a publicly listed Malaysian firm Carotech Bhd. Carotech Bhd has formed a 50:50 joint venture with an Indian firm, Khard Soaps Pvt Ltd, called Khard-Carotech, which is expected to supply bulk of the Railways’ requirement (about 44,000 kilo litres). The Malaysian firm has a patented technology and produces bio-diesel (Caro Diesel) derived from crude palm oil — a renewable biological resource, for use in diesel engine, according to Carotech’s Web site.
Source: The Hindu
UNESCO declares Kalka-Shimla Railway line as a
‘World Heritage Site’
New Delhi/Chandigarh: July 11, 2008: The 96-km Kalka Shimla Railway, considered to be the engineering marvel of the 19 century, was declared a ‘World Heritage Site’ by UNESCO, in a meeting held at the Quebec City, Canada, earlier this week. The Indian delegation at the meeting was led by Mathew John, Secretary, Railway Board,
Ministry of Railways. Speaking about the Kalka-Shimla line, Ravinder Kumar Sexana, Additional Divisional Railway Manager (ADRM), Ambala Division (Northern Railway) said, “With this decision, the Indian Railways has secured World Heritage status for their fourth line. The other three being the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway in West Bengal, the Nilgiri Mountain Railway near Ooty and the Chhatarpati Shivaji Terminal in Mumbai.”
The two-member UNESCO team comprising Dr Robert Leen, a consultant of UNESCO from Australia and Ian Walker with officials of the Northern Railway visited KSR track for inspection on September 10, 2007, and were impressed by the old system at the Barog railway station. During its six-hour journey on the 96 km narrow gauge route fro Kalka to Shimla, the line runs through 102 tunnels, several arches, including 33 major bridges and picturesque stations like Dharampur, Barog and Solan.
Constructed in 1903, the Kalka-Shimla rail is one of the most significant hill railways in the country.
India's Larsen & Toubro gets $242 million order
MUMBAI, July 8, 2008 (Reuters): Indian engineering and construction firm Larsen & Toubro Ltd said on Tuesday it had received an order worth 10.47 billion rupees ($242 million) from the Indian Railways. The contract, to set up a cast steel wheel manufacturing plant in the eastern state of Bihar, will have a capacity of 100,000 units per annum, it said in a statement. The project is expected to be completed by L&T's Railway Business Unit in two years, it said.
World Bank team to assess Eastern Corridor project
New Delhi, July 06, 2008 (PTI): A six-member World Bank team will be here this month to hold discussions with Indian Railways about the funds for the ambitious dedicated Eastern Freight Corridor project. Indian Railways, which has approached the World Bank for funding the Rs 12,000 crore Eastern Dedicated Freight Corridor (DFC) project, will present a detailed report of the plan to the visiting team. While the World Bank team will be here on July 14, another delegation from Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) will also visit India on July 8 to assess the engineering and environment aspect of the Western Corridor of the DFC.
The JBIC is expected to fund the 1,483 km long Western Freight Corridor project estimated to cost about Rs 16,000 crore. The DFC to be commissioned as part of the long term railway strategy aims at separating freight and passenger corridor, a senior Railway Ministry official said. The corridor will be used exclusively for operating freight trains at a maximum permissible speed of 100 kmph.
There are certain World Bank guidelines which need to be adhered for receiving any fund, said the official. All the procedures including land acquisition, compensation, tendering process, procurement involved in the Eastern Freight Corridor are expected to be discussed with the World Bank officials during their visit, said the official.
The Indian Railways have announced an increase in haulage charges
MUMBAI, July 4, 2008 (Reuters): The Indian Railways have announced an increase in haulage charges for containerised cargo in privately-owned wagons from August, a move which will force container rail operators to raise prices, the companies said.
According to a railway circular issued on Tuesday, the freight rate will go up 14-16 percent from August 1 for a distance of 1,000 kilometres and beyond and for weight categories of 20 tonnes and beyond per twenty- foot-equivalent units (TEU). "We will definitely increase the rates because we cannot afford it," Prem Kishan Gupta, deputy chairman and managing director of Gateway Distriparks said on Friday.
"Interest rates have gone up and other costs have gone up so it has to be passed on to the customer, if it becomes applicable," he said. The Indian Railways charges a haulage fee from container train operators to haul trains over India's rail system. The Indian Railway provides the locomotive, crew and passage on its system.
Indian Railways funds to touch one lakh crore
SIVAGANGA, July 03, 2008: Lauding the aggressive marketing policy of the Indian Railways, Union Minister of state for Railways R Velu said here tonight that it had created surplus fund to the tune of Rs 25,000
crore in the financial year ending 2008 and it would touch one lakh crore when the UPA Government completes its term.
Participating at the inaugural function of the newly converted Broad Gauge (BG) section between Karaikudi and Manamadurai, he attributed the 12 per cent growth rate of the railways to the same aggressive
marketing policy. In the last five years, most of the Medium Gauge sections had been converted into BG sections and only the Madurai-Bodi Section, stretching to 90 km remained to be converted.
The Central Government had also permitted 4 new lines, including Chennai-Cuddalore. After the completion of Trichy-Madurai, Madurai-Thoothukudi-Maniyaachi-Nagercoil electrification, he would take efforts for the electrification of Trichy-Karaikudi-Manamadurai BG sections.
Lucknow division gets 3 new trains
LUCKNOW, July 02, 2008: Indian Railways has given three new trains originating from Lucknow division in July 2008 time table. A weekly Express train (4260/4259) between Varanasi and Rameshwaram and two tri-weeklies, a Garib Rath Express train (2213/2214) between Varanasi and Anand Vihar terminal in Delhi) and an air-conditioned Express train (2233/2234) between Lucknow and New Delhi, are the new trains given to the division. However, the date of introduction for the trains is yet to be decided.
Train no 4260/4259 will operate from Varanasi on Sunday and from Rameshwaram on Wednesday, while train no 2213/2214 will operate from Varanasi on Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday and from Anand Vihar on
Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Train no 2233/2234 will operate from Lucknow on Tuesday, Friday and Sunday and from New Delhi on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
Train no 4265 (Varanasi-Dehradun Express) will be an alternative train for Dehradun-bound passengers from Varanasi and Lucknow, after Doon Express. The train will not have an extended stoppage at Lucknow as before. So far, it was operating as a commuter train between Varanasi and Lucknow and as mail/express train between Lucknow and Dehradun. Also, train no 8103 Tata-Amritsar Express, from Varanasi, has been scheduled for morning in the 08:00-08:15 am slot than the previous 00:45-01:05 slot.
Source: The Times of India
Kolkata, July 22, 2008: The Indian Railways has taken up the issue of drop in the movement of raw materials with the major steel producers. Iron ore loading in first quarter dropped by about 20 per cent; the hot metal production in some of the major steel plants too declined during the period.
In the first quarter, according to Joint Plant Committee sources, the hot metal production in SAIL plants dropped by 8 per cent and in Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Ltd’s Visakhapatnam plant by 7 per cent. While Tata Steel’s Jamshedpur plant posted more than 3 per cent growth in production, the overall production by major steel producers slumped by nearly 4 per cent during the period.
Source: The Hindu
Indian help for railway sector
COLOMBO, July 22,2008: The Indian Government has pledged US $ 168 million to Sri Lanka to develop the island’s railways sector. The financial assistance, provided under the Indian Credit Line (ICL) will be used to upgrade Sri Lanka’s coastal railway line hit by the 2004 tsunami and to strengthen the operating fleet of the Railways Department.
Accordingly, the existing rail track from Kalutara to Matara is to be replaced by an improved track made of concrete sleepers and new rails, while a new, advanced signal system will also be installed. The Indian Rail Construction Company has taken up the renovation project estimated to cost US $ 78 million.
Among the other benefits to be received under the ICL are 20 new diesel electrical power sets and three engines for the Railways Department, to be purchased from Rail India Technical and Economy (RITE). Three locomotives required for track maintenance and maintenance machinery worth US $ two million will also be provided under the scheme. The agreement relating to the supply contract was signed between RITE representatives and Transport Ministry Secretary Thilak Kollure yesterday, in the presence of Transport Minister Dullas Alahapperuma.
Source: Sri Lanka News
Ordinary train with AC coach
ADRA (Purulia), July 18, 2008: The long-standing demand to accommodate a three-tier air-conditioned (3A) coach in the 315 and 316 passenger trains, running between Howrah and Chakradharpur, through Purulia was granted at last. A three-tier air- conditioned (3A) coach has been introduced in the 315 and 316 passenger trains from Howrah and from Chakradharpur which would run only during the night, on Monday and Tuesday respectively.
"It will run regularly," Mr Basudeb Acharia, MP of Bankura and, also the chairman of Parliamentary Standing Committee on Railways, informed: "This is the first time in the history of Indian Railways that an AC sleeper coach has been accommodated inside a passenger train."
Earlier an express train, 'Rupasi Bangla' ran regularly between Howrah and Purulia. It is the first train in the last 150 years of Indian Railways that might become a local train (passenger special) between Purulia and Chandil of South Eastern Railway. The passenger special has introduced stops at six different stations and also boasts of an air-conditioned chair car coach which is a rarity in the Indian Railways. Mr Om Prakesh Chaube, divisional railway manager of Adra in South Eastern Railway, also admitted: "Such kind of train services are the rarest in Indian Railways~ an express train with super charges, running between six or more stations at a local fare."
Source: Statesman
India’s First Ginger Rail Yatri Niwas with modern facilities
July 17, 2008: Shri K.C.Jena, Chairman, Railway Board inaugurated the renovated New Delhi Rail Yatri Niwas, India’s first Ginger Rail Yatri Niwas here today. The renovated Rail Yatri Niwas developed by Indian Railway Catering & Tourism Corporation Limited (IRCTC) and the Roots Corporation Limited (RCL), stands tall sparkling new at the Ajmeri Gate side of the New Delhi Railway Station in new earthly hues and shiny warm reds. This hotel was originally built in 1988 as part of Indian Railways efforts to offer hotel rooms to the railway passengers at reasonable prices.
The hotel was stripped to its bare shell and renovated with an investment of about Rs. 10.5 crores to offer the customers 109 SMART BASICS rooms and a plethora of additional facilities. A guest at the hotel now has a choice of well fitted orange and blue theme rooms with LCD TVs, posturepedic mattresses, anti allergy pillows, tropical duvets, Smart Bev Tea Coffee Maker, complimentary bottles of water and an access card to enter the room. The hotel also offers a gymnasium and a meeting room for the convenience of its guests.
Additionally, it will offer 24 x 7 restaurant, that will offer an array of food from across India and different parts of the world. A book store for catering to a traveler’s intellectual appetite and a 24 x 7 medical store. The rooms will be offered at an incredible price of Rs. 1199/- inclusive of taxes. Fifty per cent of the rooms will be offered at Rs. 999/- per room per night inclusive of taxes. This hotel will also have four bedded rooms where each bed will be offered at Rs.250/- for a night. It is located above the Delhi metro station. Rail travelers can call on the Toll Free Number 1800 2093333 OR 011 – 66633333. Bookings can also be made through an email at reservations@gingerhotels.com
Source: PIB Press Release
Indian Railways trains to have internet soon
July 16, 2008, The day is not too far off when you can access internet on trains. If the pilot runs being conducted on the Mumbai-Ahemedabad train turns successful, passengers will have the luxury of logging on to their computers on running trains. Hughes Communications India, a provider of satellite broadband services, was awarded the mandate to set up the first dedicated VSAT (very small aperture terminal hub) for the Indian Railways.
Mr Krishna of Hughes says: “Satellite dishes will be installed at the front and tail-end of the train.” Hughes has successfully installed this architecture in over a 100 trains in Europe. The slew of facilities the Railways are planning to introduce are disaster communication systems on accident relief trains (ART), streamlining the unreserved ticketing system (UTS) and providing freight operating information system (FOIS) even in remote locations.
The commissioning of the dedicated VSAT hub will allow the Railways connect 1,000 locations across 19 states as against 200 earlier. This new system will help the Railways have voice and data connectivity for their services in remote stations where fixed and mobile network of telecom operators had not reached.
Source:The Economic Times
Railways may use bio-diesel at Rs 31.34/litre
New Delhi, July 12, 2008: Indian Railways is likely to procure bio-diesel at Rs 31.34 a litre, which is about Rs 3-3.50 lower than the price it currently pays for high-speed diesel. Railways had floated a tender in the second half of 2007 to procure 50,000 kilo litres of bio-diesel. Initially, Railways plans to use bio-diesel at ten per cent blending levels in all its 38 mainline locomotive sheds on a pilot basis. “If the project is successful, the blending levels can be moved further up,” said sources.
Bulk of the bio-diesel to be procured is expected to be an imported crude
palm- oil derivative, the technology for which is patented by a publicly listed Malaysian firm Carotech Bhd. Carotech Bhd has formed a 50:50 joint venture with an Indian firm, Khard Soaps Pvt Ltd, called Khard-Carotech, which is expected to supply bulk of the Railways’ requirement (about 44,000 kilo litres). The Malaysian firm has a patented technology and produces bio-diesel (Caro Diesel) derived from crude palm oil — a renewable biological resource, for use in diesel engine, according to Carotech’s Web site.
Source: The Hindu
UNESCO declares Kalka-Shimla Railway line as a
‘World Heritage Site’
New Delhi/Chandigarh: July 11, 2008: The 96-km Kalka Shimla Railway, considered to be the engineering marvel of the 19 century, was declared a ‘World Heritage Site’ by UNESCO, in a meeting held at the Quebec City, Canada, earlier this week. The Indian delegation at the meeting was led by Mathew John, Secretary, Railway Board,
Ministry of Railways. Speaking about the Kalka-Shimla line, Ravinder Kumar Sexana, Additional Divisional Railway Manager (ADRM), Ambala Division (Northern Railway) said, “With this decision, the Indian Railways has secured World Heritage status for their fourth line. The other three being the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway in West Bengal, the Nilgiri Mountain Railway near Ooty and the Chhatarpati Shivaji Terminal in Mumbai.”
The two-member UNESCO team comprising Dr Robert Leen, a consultant of UNESCO from Australia and Ian Walker with officials of the Northern Railway visited KSR track for inspection on September 10, 2007, and were impressed by the old system at the Barog railway station. During its six-hour journey on the 96 km narrow gauge route fro Kalka to Shimla, the line runs through 102 tunnels, several arches, including 33 major bridges and picturesque stations like Dharampur, Barog and Solan.
Constructed in 1903, the Kalka-Shimla rail is one of the most significant hill railways in the country.
India's Larsen & Toubro gets $242 million order
MUMBAI, July 8, 2008 (Reuters): Indian engineering and construction firm Larsen & Toubro Ltd said on Tuesday it had received an order worth 10.47 billion rupees ($242 million) from the Indian Railways. The contract, to set up a cast steel wheel manufacturing plant in the eastern state of Bihar, will have a capacity of 100,000 units per annum, it said in a statement. The project is expected to be completed by L&T's Railway Business Unit in two years, it said.
World Bank team to assess Eastern Corridor project
New Delhi, July 06, 2008 (PTI): A six-member World Bank team will be here this month to hold discussions with Indian Railways about the funds for the ambitious dedicated Eastern Freight Corridor project. Indian Railways, which has approached the World Bank for funding the Rs 12,000 crore Eastern Dedicated Freight Corridor (DFC) project, will present a detailed report of the plan to the visiting team. While the World Bank team will be here on July 14, another delegation from Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) will also visit India on July 8 to assess the engineering and environment aspect of the Western Corridor of the DFC.
The JBIC is expected to fund the 1,483 km long Western Freight Corridor project estimated to cost about Rs 16,000 crore. The DFC to be commissioned as part of the long term railway strategy aims at separating freight and passenger corridor, a senior Railway Ministry official said. The corridor will be used exclusively for operating freight trains at a maximum permissible speed of 100 kmph.
There are certain World Bank guidelines which need to be adhered for receiving any fund, said the official. All the procedures including land acquisition, compensation, tendering process, procurement involved in the Eastern Freight Corridor are expected to be discussed with the World Bank officials during their visit, said the official.
The Indian Railways have announced an increase in haulage charges
MUMBAI, July 4, 2008 (Reuters): The Indian Railways have announced an increase in haulage charges for containerised cargo in privately-owned wagons from August, a move which will force container rail operators to raise prices, the companies said.
According to a railway circular issued on Tuesday, the freight rate will go up 14-16 percent from August 1 for a distance of 1,000 kilometres and beyond and for weight categories of 20 tonnes and beyond per twenty- foot-equivalent units (TEU). "We will definitely increase the rates because we cannot afford it," Prem Kishan Gupta, deputy chairman and managing director of Gateway Distriparks said on Friday.
"Interest rates have gone up and other costs have gone up so it has to be passed on to the customer, if it becomes applicable," he said. The Indian Railways charges a haulage fee from container train operators to haul trains over India's rail system. The Indian Railway provides the locomotive, crew and passage on its system.
Indian Railways funds to touch one lakh crore
SIVAGANGA, July 03, 2008: Lauding the aggressive marketing policy of the Indian Railways, Union Minister of state for Railways R Velu said here tonight that it had created surplus fund to the tune of Rs 25,000
crore in the financial year ending 2008 and it would touch one lakh crore when the UPA Government completes its term.
Participating at the inaugural function of the newly converted Broad Gauge (BG) section between Karaikudi and Manamadurai, he attributed the 12 per cent growth rate of the railways to the same aggressive
marketing policy. In the last five years, most of the Medium Gauge sections had been converted into BG sections and only the Madurai-Bodi Section, stretching to 90 km remained to be converted.
The Central Government had also permitted 4 new lines, including Chennai-Cuddalore. After the completion of Trichy-Madurai, Madurai-Thoothukudi-Maniyaachi-Nagercoil electrification, he would take efforts for the electrification of Trichy-Karaikudi-Manamadurai BG sections.
Lucknow division gets 3 new trains
LUCKNOW, July 02, 2008: Indian Railways has given three new trains originating from Lucknow division in July 2008 time table. A weekly Express train (4260/4259) between Varanasi and Rameshwaram and two tri-weeklies, a Garib Rath Express train (2213/2214) between Varanasi and Anand Vihar terminal in Delhi) and an air-conditioned Express train (2233/2234) between Lucknow and New Delhi, are the new trains given to the division. However, the date of introduction for the trains is yet to be decided.
Train no 4260/4259 will operate from Varanasi on Sunday and from Rameshwaram on Wednesday, while train no 2213/2214 will operate from Varanasi on Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday and from Anand Vihar on
Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Train no 2233/2234 will operate from Lucknow on Tuesday, Friday and Sunday and from New Delhi on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
Train no 4265 (Varanasi-Dehradun Express) will be an alternative train for Dehradun-bound passengers from Varanasi and Lucknow, after Doon Express. The train will not have an extended stoppage at Lucknow as before. So far, it was operating as a commuter train between Varanasi and Lucknow and as mail/express train between Lucknow and Dehradun. Also, train no 8103 Tata-Amritsar Express, from Varanasi, has been scheduled for morning in the 08:00-08:15 am slot than the previous 00:45-01:05 slot.
Source: The Times of India
Saturday, July 26, 2008
Luxury Trains
THE ROYAL ORIENT
Welcome to the rare delight, a special experience. Rare because in our fast - paced lives, it is not often that we can take time off to unwind and taste the pleasure of Raaj culture. Special, because your journey will take you and your family back in time : to the age of Maharajas. To carry you there is the world's most exotic trains. Weave through two of India's most culturally fascinating states, Gujarat and Rajasthan. Cross the great Indian desert at nights and take day trips to fascinating places by luxury coach.
Feel the spirituality of an ancient Jain temple-city, soak your feet in the warm water of the Arabian Sea and laze on the beach, Safari in jungles to see the only lions outside Africa, and shop for exquisite handicrafts as old as history in shops blaring Michael Jackson music.
A joint venture of the Tourist Corporation of Gujarat Limited and the Indian Railways with thirteen coaches and saloons,The Royal Orient promises you seven memorable days and nights.
Multicuisine restaurant with the "Watering Hole" Bar, with all your favourite drinks and some new ones too!, running hot and cold water, spacious baths, clean and comfortable cabins, furnished better than may 5-star hotels, a Library if you're looking for a truly quite, laid-back time.
ITINERARY
DAY
Day 1 Wed Departure - Delhi Cantonment 1500 hrs.
Day 2 Thu Arrival - Chittaurgarh - 0630 Hrs.
Departure Chittaurgarh - 0915 Hrs. Visit Chittaurgarh Fort
Day 2 Thu Arrival - Udaipur - 1215 Hrs
Departure - Udaipur - 1830 Hrs. Transfer to hotel for lunch. Visit City Palace, boating in lake Pichhola, see Shilpgram and Royal Gardens
Day 3 Fri Arrival - Junagarh - 1400 Hrs
Departure - Junagarh - 1600 Hrs. Visit Ashokan Rock EDICT of 3rd Century BC, Darbar Hall Museum, Mausoleum of Nawab Mahabat Khanji
Day 3 Fri Arrival - Veraval - 1800 Hrs. Visit Somnath, the famous Shiva Temple on the shore of the Arabian Sea.
Day 4 Sat Departure - Veraval - 0500 Hrs
Arrival - Sesangir - 0630 Hrs Visit Lion Sanctuary
Day 4 Sat Departure Sesangir - 1130 Hrs Arrival Dilwara - 1430 Hrs Departure Dilwara - 2005 Hrs Visit St. Pauls church and emjoy Mandir Beach
Day 5 Sun Arrival - Palitana - 0740 Hrs. Departure Palitana 1230 Hrs Visit 863 Jain Temple atop Shatrunjaya Hills
Day 5 Sun Arrival Sarkhej - 1905 Hrs. From Sarkhej to Ahmedabad by bus
Day 6 Mon Departure Ahmedabad - 1405 Hrs Visit Gandhi Ashram, Calico Museum of Textiles, Sidi Aayyad's Mosque
Day 7 Tue Arrival Jaipur - 1115 Hrs Departure Jaipur - 2130 Hrs. Visit of Amar Fort and elephant ride via Hawa Mahal, enjoy round of City palace and Jantar Mantar (observatory)
Day 8 Wed Arrival Delhi Cantt - 0740 Hrs End of 7 days splendid journey
TARIFF
Two Birth Cabin Oct to Mar April & Sep
Single Occupancy US $350 per day US $263 per day
Sharing Basis US $200 per day US $150 per day
Three Birth Cabin
Sharing Basis $175 per day US $132 per day
Children below 5 years permitted free. Between 5 years & 12 years charged only 50%.
For more information and booking, please contact:
tours@primetravels.com
FAIRY QUEEN
This 144-year-old pristine beauty, now comes alive. It runs with the oldest working stem locomotive in the world, kept at the National Rail Museum, New Delhi. The Fairy Queen has recently featured in the Guinness book of world records as the oldest running steam engine. The vintage Fairy Queen has also won the National Tourism Award. It is scheduled to run once again twice a month in the current tourist season i.e. October '99 to Feb '2000 taking 50 discerning passenger on an unforgettable two-day weekend trip from Delhi to Alwar on selected days. The train consists of just one first class chair car and a pantry car. The two-day trip includes departure from Delhi Cantt. Railway Station at 1000 Hrs. On day 1, reaching Alwar at 1600 Hrs. On the same day, the train is being run in joint venture with "Rajasthan Tourism Development Corporation" (RTDC).
FAIRY QUEEN AND TIGER COUNTRY ADVENTURE PROGRAMME
***********************************************************
Day 1 Sat 1000 hrs.
Trains leaves Delhi Cantonment Station .
1030 hrs.
Light snacks on Board .
1300 hrs.
Lunch on Board .
1500 hrs.
Light refreshments on Board.
1600 hrs.
Arrival Railway Station.
1620 hrs.
Arrival Alwar by air-conditioned coach.
1730 hrs.
Arrival Hotel Tiger Den .
1930 hrs.
Theme dinner/Night Stay at Hotel
Day 2 Sun 0630 hrs.
Jeep safari for Tiger Sanctuary.
0930 hrs.
Breakfast at Diger Den.
1200 hrs.
Departure for Alwar/Alwar Museum.
1245 hrs.
Fairy Queen leaves Alwar, welcome drink, lunch, light refreshment on board.
1300 hrs.
Fairy Queen leaves Alwar.
1320 hrs.
Lunch on Board.
1600 hrs.
Light Refreshment on Board.
1845 hrs. .
Fairy Queen arrives Delhi Cantonment Station.
TARIFF:- Round Trip Package: Rs. 7500/- Adult per pax all incl. except liquor Children (5-12 years of age) Rs.3750
USD 165 per pax all incl. except liquor. USD. 83
For more information and booking, please contact:
tours@primetravels.com
LUXURY TOURIST TRAINS
LUXURY TOURIST TRAINS
PALACE ON WHEELS
With its historic charm and modern conveniences this is an extraordinary train for extraordinary people. Rigthly called as "A Royal Odyssey", it reveals the luxury of princely travel of the age of the Raj with 14 coaches of the "Palace on Wheels" with rich decor it states. Most of the traveling is done at night so the days are left free - for discovering the delights of Rajasthan.
ITINERARY
Day-1 Wednesday (Delhi) Reporting Time 16.00 hrs. Dep. 18.30 hrs.
Day-2 Thursday (Jaipur) Arrival 02.00 hrs. Departure 19.30 hrs.
Day-3 Friday (Jaisalmer) Arrival 08.15 hrs. Departure 23.00 hrs.
Day-4 Saturday (Jodhpur) Arrival 07.00 hrs. Departure15.30 hrs.
Day-5 Sunday (swaimadhopur) Arrival 04.00 hrs. Departure 10.30 hrs.
Day-5 Sunday (Chittaurgarh) Arrival 16.00 hrs.
Day-6 Monday (Udaipur) Departure 05:30 hrs. from Chittaurgarh for Udaipur
Day-7 Tuesday (Bharatpur) Arrival 06.30hrs. Departure 11.45 hrs
Day-7 Tuesday (Agra) Arrival 14.30 hrs Departure 23.00 hrs
After dinner on board and a good night’s sleep, arrive at Delhi Cantt. at 6.00 hrs the next morning and let the pleasant memories of the past week linger on your mind for a long, long time.
TARIFF
Tariff for Season 2007-2008 & 2008-2009, per person per night.
Occupancy Type October and March
(per person per night) September to April
(per person per night)
Single Occupancy US$ 560 US$ 415
Double Occupancy US$ 419 US$ 322
Triple Occupancy US$ 340 US$ 260
Half fare for children between 5-12 years of age.
Service change will be charged extra as applicable.
There will be a 10% surcharge levied on the tariff for the trips falling during Christmas (25th December) and New year (1st January).
RTDC in consultation with Railways reserve the right to revise the tariff during any season..
Tariff is inclusive of cost of travel and accommodation, catering (morning tea, breakfast, lunch, evening tea and dinner), conducted sightseeing tours in deluxe coaches, entrance fee for monuments and palaces and cultural entertainment. Tariff does not include liquor, laundry, video cameras and other itmes of personal nature.
Note: Tariff does not include liquor, laundry and other items of personal nature and video camera charges for entry into Parks and monuments.
Itinerary and terms are subject to change without prior notice.
No charter can be booked during X-mas & New Year period. However, the charters booked during season 2007-08 in this period are hououred.
Reservation/ Cancellation-Terms & Conditions.
Reservation.
(1) 50% of ticket value at the time confirming the booking.
(2) Remaining 50% of ticket value 60 days prior to departure.
Cancellation:
(a) In case of FITs
(i) 5% of ticket value 60 days prior to departure.
(ii)20% of ticket value 30-59 days prior to departure.
(iii) 100% of ticket value between less than 30 days prior to departure.
(b) In case of Group and Charter.
(i) 10% of ticket value 60 days prior to departure.
(ii)100 % of ticket value between 0 to 59 days prior to departure.
For more information and booking, please contact :
tours@primetravels.com
Ticket Refund Rule
Refund Rules - Basic Rules (As on 1.5.2007)
1. These rules are called Railway Passengers (Cancellation of ticket and refund of fare) Rules.
2. Definitions. - In these rules, unless the context otherwise requires -
(a) “clerkage” means a charge levied by a railway administration for the clerical work rendered by it in the refund of fares;
(b) “destination station” means the station for which the ticket has been issued;
(c) “RAC ticket” means a ticket on which a seat has been reserved against requisition for a berth and a berth may be subsequently provided against cancellation, if any;
(d) “fare” includes basic fare, supplementary charge on superfast trains and reservation fee;
(e) “reserved ticket” means a journey ticket on which a berth or seat has been reserved;
(f) “reservation fee” means the charge, in addition to the fare, levied by the Railway administration for the reservation of a berth or seat;
(g) “station” means a railway station and includes other reservation offices or booking offices in the same city;
(h) “station master” means a railway employee, by whatever name called, having overall charge of a railway station and includes any other railway employee authorised to grant refund of fare at a Station;
(i) “ticket” means a single journey ticket or any half of a return ticket but does not include a season ticket, an Indrail Pass ticket or a special ticket for a reserved carriage or a tourist car or saloon, or a special train;
3. Station master to refund fares. -
(1) Subject to the other provisions of these rules, every refund of fare on unused unreserved ticket shall, when such ticket is presented for refund of fare to the station master of ticket issuing station, be granted by such station master after verifying the genuineness of the ticket from the record of the station.
(2) Subject to the other provisions of these rules, every refund of fare on reserved tickets, RAC tickets and wait-listed tickets shall, when such tickets are presented for refund of fare to the station master of ticket issuing station, be granted within the time limits prescribed in these rules, by such station master after verifying the genuineness of the tickets through computer or from the record of the station:
Provided that -
(a) in case of tickets which were issued for travel from a station other than the ticket issuing station, refund of fare shall be admissible at -
(i) the ticket issuing station, if the ticket is surrendered before the scheduled departure of the train from the station from where the ticket is valid for travel; and
(ii) the journey commencing station, if the ticket is surrendered within the time limits prescribed in these rules, and
(b) refund of fare may also be granted by the station master of a station other than the ticket issuing station and journey commencing station subject to the conditions that -
(i) the ticket is surrendered for refund of fare during working hours of the reservation office and before the preparation of reservation chart, of the concerned train, for the station from where the ticket is valid; and
(ii) the genuineness of the ticket and its particulars are verifiable at the refund granting station through computer or from record of the station.
4. Levy of clerkage. - Subject to the other provisions of these rules, station master shall levy a clerkage of rupees twenty per passenger for cancellation of unreserved or wait-listed or RAC tickets, except for second class unreserved tickets where the clerkage of rupees ten only shall be levied.
5. Unused tickets on which no reservation has been made. - If a ticket on which no reservation of a seat or berth has been made is presented to the station master for cancellation within three hours after the actual departure of the train for which the ticket is issued or for any ticket valid for the whole day, within three hours after the actual departure of the last train of the day for the destination station, refund of fare shall be made on every such ticket after deducting the clerkage.
6. Unused tickets on which reservation has been made. -
(1) Subject to the provisions of these rules, if a ticket on which reservation of a seat or berth has been made is presented by the passenger or his agent to a station master for cancellation, refund of fare shall be made after deducting cancellation charges from the fare as follows:-
(a) If the ticket is presented for cancellation more than twenty four hours before the scheduled departure of the train, the per passenger cancellation charge shall be deducted at a flat rate of Rupees seventy for air conditioned first class/executive class, Rupees sixty for air conditioned sleeper class/air conditioned 3-tier sleeper class/first class/air conditioned chair car, Rupees forty for sleeper class and Rupees twenty for second class;
(b) If the ticket is presented for cancellation between twenty four hours and four hours before the scheduled departure of the train, cancellation charge shall be Twenty five per cent of the fare subject to the minimum flat rate mentioned in clause (a);
(c) If the ticket is presented for cancellation within four hours before scheduled departure of the train and upto -
(i) three hours, when the ticket is for a destination station upto Two hundred Kilometres,
(ii) six hours, when the ticket is for a destination station of more than Two hundred Kilometres but upto Five hundred Kilometres, and
(iii) twelve hours, when the ticket is for a destination station of more than Five hundred Kilometres, after the actual departure of the train, cancellation charge shall be fifty per cent of the fare subject to the minimum flat rate mentioned in clause (a);
Provided that for night trains leaving between 21.00 hours and 06.00 hours (actual departure), refund shall be admissible at the station within the time limits specified above or within first four hours after the opening of reservation office, whichever is later.
(2) No refund shall be granted at the station if the ticket is surrendered for cancellation after the expiry of the period mentioned under clause (c) of sub-rule (1).
NOTE : In case, on a party ticket or a family ticket issued for travel of more than one person, some persons have confirmed reservation and others are on waiting list, full refund of fare, less clerkage, shall be admissible for confirmed passengers also provided that the entire ticket is surrendered for cancellation at the journey commencing station within four hours before the scheduled departure of the train and upto three hours after actual departure of the train.
7. Unused waitlisted or RAC tickets. -
(1) Subject to provisions of sub-rule (2), no cancellation charge shall be payable if a wait-listed or RAC ticket is presented for cancellation -
(i) upto three hours, when the ticket is for a destination station upto Two hundred Kilometres,
(ii) upto six hours, when the ticket is for a destination station of more than Two hundred Kilometres but upto Five hundred Kilometres, and
(iii) upto twelve hours, when the ticket is for a destination station of more than Five hundred Kilometres,after the actual departure of the train except for the deduction of the clerkage :
Provided that for night trains leaving between 21.00 hours and 06.00 hours (actual departure), refund shall be admissible at the station within the time limits specified above or within first four hours after the opening of reservation office, whichever is later.
(2) Where confirmed reservation has been provided to RAC or waitlisted ticket holder at any time upto the final preparation of reservation chart, such ticket shall be treated as a reserved ticket and cancellation charge shall be payable in accordance with rule 6.
8. Cancellation charges on multiple journey tickets – When an unused ticket involving more than one journey is surrendered for cancellation, the entire ticket shall be treated as one single journey ticket and refund of fare of the entire ticket, irrespective of reservation status of different laps of journeys, shall be granted as per reservation status of first lap of journey, as under:-
(i) if reservation status of first lap of journey is confirmed, refund shall be granted in accordance with rule 6; and
(ii) if reservation status of first lap of journey is RAC or waiting list, refund shall be granted , in accordance with rule 7.
Note: The cancellation charges or clerkage shall be levied only once on the entire amount of ticket and not separately for each lap of journey.
9. Postponement or preponement of journey on a reserved, RAC or waitlisted ticket-
(1) Postponement of journey:
(a) Confirmed Tickets: Postponement of journey on confirmed tickets shall be allowed in the same or any higher class, by any subsequent train on the same day or any subsequent day, for same or any longer destination, provided that :
(i) confirmed or RAC or waiting list accommodation is available in the train in which fresh reservation is required ;
(ii) fresh reservation fee for the class for which reservation is required is paid, in case of tickets surrendered during working hours and at least twenty four hours before the scheduled departure of the train in which originally booked ;
(iii) 25% fare of already booked ticket is paid as cancellation charges, in case of tickets surrendered during working hours and within twenty four hours and four hours before scheduled departure of the train in which originally booked ;
(iv) 50% fare of already booked ticket is paid as cancellation charges, in case of the tickets surrendered during working hours and within four hours before the scheduled departure and upto the maximum time limits mentioned in rule 6(i)(c) (i.e. three or six or twelve hours, depending on distance) after actual departure of the train in which originally booked ;
(b): RAC and Wait listed Tickets : Postponement of journey on RAC and Wait listed Tickets shall be allowed in the same or higher class, by any subsequent train on the same or any subsequent day, for same or any longer destination, provided that -
(i) confirmed or RAC or waiting list accommodation is available in the train in which fresh reservation is required ;
(ii) ticket is surrendered during working hours and upto the maximum time limits mentioned in rule 6(i)(c) (i.e. 3 or six or twelve hours, depending on distance) after actual departure of the train in which originally booked;
(iii) clerkage charge is paid;
(2) Preponement of journey: Preponement of journey on confirmed, RAC and wait listed tickets shall be allowed in the same or any higher class, by any earlier train on the same day or any earlier day, for same or any longer destination, provided that : -
(a) confirmed or RAC or waiting list accommodation is available in the train in which fresh reservation is required ;
(b) the ticket is surrendered during the working hours of the reservation office and at least six hours before the scheduled departure of the train in which reservation is required or before preparation of the reservation chart, whichever is later ;
(c) fresh reservation fee for the class for which reservation is required is paid, in case of preponement on confirmed tickets ; and
(d) clerkage charge is paid, in case of preponement on RAC and wait listed tickets;
(3) If there is difference in fares for originally booked journey and revised journey, the difference of fare shall be refunded or recovered, as the case may be, subject to the provisions of sub rule (1) and (2) of rule 9 above.
(4) Postponement or Preponement of journey under the sub-rule (1) or sub-rule (2) shall be allowed only once.
(5) The Postponement or Preponement of normal train ticket journeys will not be applicable against Tatkal Quota even on payment of Tatkal charges.
(6) If the ticket, on which journey has been altered under the sub-rules (1) or (2) is cancelled, cancellation charges shall be payable as follows : -
(a) cancellation charges as would have been due if the ticket for original reservation had been cancelled at the time of postponement or preponement of journey, and
(b) cancellation charges due in respect of ticket for altered reservation as if this altered reservation is a fresh reservation.
(c) In cases where 25% or 50% cancellation charges were realized at the time of modification of journey, the cancellation charges mentioned in clause (a) shall not be levied again and the cancellation charges mentioned in clause (b) only shall be levied.
10. Change of journey from lower class to higher class. -
(1) Change of reservation shall be allowed on a reserved ticket of lower class for higher class on the same train and day or when reserved for a seat in a class for reservation of a berth in the same class on the same train and day, without levying any cancellation charges but on payment of fresh reservation fee for higher class/berth, provided that -
(i) accommodation is available, and
(ii) the request for change is made -
(a) either during the working hours of reservation office and upto six hours before the scheduled departure of the train, or
(b) during the course of journey in the train.;
(2) The change referred to under sub-rule (1) shall be allowed only once
(3) If the ticket on which change of reservation has been allowed under sub-rule (1) is cancelled, cancellation charge shall be payable as follows, namely :-
(a) cancellation charge as would have been due if the original reservation had been cancelled at the time when the change of reservation was allowed; and
(b) cancellation charge due in respect of the altered reservation as if the altered reservation is a fresh reservation.
11. Non-commencement or missing of journey due to late running of trains. -
(1) No cancellation charge or clerkage shall be levied and full fare shall be refunded to all passengers holding reserved, RAC and waitlisted tickets, if the journey is not undertaken due to late running of the train by more than three hours of the scheduled departure of the train from the journey commencing station provided that the ticket is surrendered upto the maximum time limits prescribed in clause (c) of sub-rule (1) of rule 6.
(2) Where a passenger holding a ticket, with or without reservation, misses connection for continued journey by another train at any junction station owing to late running of the train by which he had been travelling, the fare for travelled portion shall be retained and the balance amount of ticket shall be refunded as the fare for untravelled portion, without levying any cancellation charge or clerkage, if he surrenders the ticket for such refund within three hours of the actual arrival of the train by which he had travelled. The refund shall be granted at the junction station.
12. Cancellation of tickets where railway administration is unable to provide accommodation. -
Where a railway administration is unable to provide accommodation for any reason whatsoever to passengers holding reserved tickets, no cancellation charge shall be levied and full refund of fare shall be granted to them if such tickets are surrendered for refund within three hours from the actual departure of the train:
Provided that when the train is cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances such as accidents, breaches and floods, the ticket is surrendered within three days excluding the scheduled day of departure of the train.
13. Partially used tickets. -
(1) Except as provided in these rules, no refund shall be granted at a station on a ticket on which part of the journey has been undertaken.
(2) Where a passenger terminates the journey enroute, a ticket deposit receipt shall be issued to the ticket holder by the station master of the station in lieu of surrender of the ticket and refund shall be admissible in terms of rule 21. In such cases, fare for the travelled portion shall be retained and the balance amount of the ticket shall be refundable as the fare for the untravelled portion of journey.
14. Discontinuation of journey due to dislocation of train services. -
(1) When a train journey is dislocated enroute due to unforeseen circumstances, such as accidents, breaches and floods, full fare for the entire booked journey without any deduction for the travelled portion and without levy of cancellation charge shall be refunded at the station at which the journey is terminated under the following circumstances :-
(a) when the railway is unable to carry the passenger to destination station within a reasonable time by arranging transhipment or diversion or otherwise; or
(b) when the passenger is involved in a railway accident and/or injured in the accident and does not continue his journey; or
(c) in the case of death or injury to a passenger in a railway accident, the kith and kin of the passenger have to terminate the journey.
(2) Where the railway administration offers to carry the passenger to his destination station by any diverted route or by arranging transhipment or otherwise, and the passenger is not willing to avail of such an alternative arrangement, fare for travelled portion shall be retained and the balance amount of ticket shall be refunded as the fare for untravelled portion, without levying any cancellation charges, at the station at which the journey has been terminated.
(3) Where the train journey is dislocated enroute due to bandhs, agitations or rail roko, fare for travelled portion shall be retained and the balance amount of ticket shall be refunded as the fare for untravelled portion, without levying any cancellation charges.
(4) If the trains, which have separate all-inclusive fare structure on point to point basis, are terminated at a non-scheduled stoppage of the train and the passenger is not willing to avail of the alternative arrangement made by the railway administration to carry the passenger to his destination station, fare for the distance travelled shall be retained based on the per kilometer fare of ticket and balance amount shall be refunded as the fare for untravelled portion of journey.
15. Refund of certain fare on failure to provide air-conditioning facility in air-conditioned coaches. -
(1) Where the air-conditioning facility could not be provided for a portion of journey, refund on tickets issued for air-conditioned coaches shall be granted for such portion on the following basis, namely :-
(a) if the ticket is for air-conditioned first class, the difference between the air-conditioned first class fare and first class fare;
(b) if the ticket is for air-conditioned sleeper/air-conditioned 3-tier sleeper class, the difference between air-conditioned sleeper/air-conditioned 3-tier sleeper class fare and sleeper class fare (Mail and Express);
(c) if the ticket is for air-conditioned chair car, the difference between air-conditioned chair car fare and second class fare (Mail and Express);
(d) if the ticket is for executive class, the difference between the notified executive class fare for the concerned section and the first class fare (Mail and Express) for the concerned distance of that section.
(2) The refund of difference of fare under sub-rule (1) shall be granted at the destination station on production of the ticket alongwith a certificate from the conductor or the guard or the travelling ticket examiner of the train giving particulars of the ticket, number of the coach and stations between which the air-conditioning facility was not provided, and is presented within twenty hours of arrival of the train.
16. When passengers are made to travel in lower class for want of accommodation. -
If the ticket holder of a higher class is made to travel in a lower class for want of accommodation in the class for which the ticket was issued, refund of the difference between the fare paid and the fare payable for the class in which it is actually used shall be granted at the destination station or at the originating station, as the case may be:
Provided that refund shall be granted at the destination station on production of a certificate from the conductor or the guard or the travelling ticket examiner of the train certifying that the holder of the ticket had to travel in a lower class for want of accommodation in the class for which it was issued and the ticket, alongwith the above certificate, is presented within two days of the date of issue of the certificate (excluding the date of issue of the certificate).
17. Lost, misplaced, torn or mutilated tickets. -
(1) No refund of fare in respect of a lost or misplaced ticket shall be granted.
(2) Refund of fare shall be granted in respect of a torn or mutilated ticket if its genuineness and authenticity are verifiable on the basis of the particulars visible on the face of the ticket.
(3) (i) If the reservation status of a lost, misplaced, torn or mutilated ticket, at the time of receipt of the application for issuance of a duplicate ticket for the purpose of undertaking journey, is reserved or RAC and that the duplicate ticket is sought before preparation of reservation chart of the concerned train, the station master shall issue a duplicate ticket in lieu of the original ticket on collection of the clerkage charge per passenger.
(ii) If a duplicate ticket in lieu of a lost or misplaced reserved ticket is sought after preparation of reservation chart of the concerned train, it shall be issued on collection of a charge equivalent to fifty per cent. of the total fare. Duplicate tickets shall, however, not be issued in respect of RAC tickets after preparation of reservation chart of the concerned train.
(iii) If duplicate ticket in lieu of a torn or mutilated reserved or RAC ticket is sought after preparation of reservation chart of the concerned train, it shall be issued on collection of a charge equivalent to Twenty five per cent of the total fare.
(iv) A duplicate ticket in respect of a party coach ticket or a special train ticket, shall be issued upto the time of departure of the train, on collection of a charge equivalent to ten per cent of the total fare.
(4) (i) No refund shall be granted in respect of charges collected under sub-rule (3) except in cases where the lost or misplaced ticket is traced after the issuance of a duplicate ticket and presented alongwith the duplicate ticket before departure of the train. The charges collected towards the issuance of duplicate ticket shall be refunded after deducting five per cent. thereof subject to a minimum deduction of rupees twenty. In case the journey is also not undertaken, the cancellation charges on the original ticket shall be determined as provided under these rules.
(ii) If the passenger, who has paid excess charges in train on account of his reserved ticket or RAC ticket being lost, misplaced, torn or mutilated, makes an application to a railway administration for grant of refund of the charges paid in train, the Chief Commercial Manager (Refunds) of that Railway administration may, after making such enquiry as he may deem necessary, grant refund of total charges realised in the train, after retaining the cancellation charges at fifty per cent. of a single journey ticket fare per passenger provided that no one has taken refund earlier on the original ticket.
18. Wait-listed passengers on concession and privilege ticket order tickets. –
When any person has purchased a ticket on any concessional order or privilege ticket order, and is wait-listed for reservation in any train, he shall be entitled to avail of the same ticket for reservation in any other train on the same date or any other date, without losing the benefit of concessional fare.
19. Unused portion of return tickets. –
(1) No refund shall be granted on the unused portion of the concessional return tickets.
(2) When a return ticket is issued without any concession, it shall be treated like two single journey tickets and the refund shall be granted accordingly.
20 Refund of fare on unused tickets and freight realised on luggage tickets in respect of luggage booked on the same ticket in case the journey is not undertaken. -
(1) Refund of freight on luggage shall be granted by the station master as under:
(a)
Luggage is with-drawn at starting station
Luggage ticket shall be cancelled and freight already collected shall be refunded after recovery of wharfage charges, if any, and deduction of cancellation charge of rupees five per luggage ticket. Journey ticket shall be endorsed to the effect.
(b) Luggage already
Dispatched from the starting station
Freight charges on weight admissible as free allowance shall be collected and remarks to this effect endorsed on journey ticket.
(2) On production of journey ticket on which luggage has been booked, the fare shall be refunded only if bearing the endorsement referred to in sub-rule (1) on the unused ticket after deducting the cancellation charges or clerkage as per rules.
21. Application for refund in other circumstances. -
For refund of fare under circumstances other than those specified in these rules or where refund is not admissible or granted at the station on account of expiry of time limits prescribed under these rules or otherwise, a Ticket Deposit Receipt shall be issued to the passenger in lieu of the surrendered ticket, at the station where ticket has been surrendered and the passenger may apply for refund, within ninety days from the day of commencement of journey, to the Chief Commercial Manager (Refunds) of the railway administration under whose jurisdiction the Ticket Deposit Receipt issuing station comes, enclosing the original Ticket Deposit Receipt. Ticket Deposit Receipt shall be issued only upto thirty days after the scheduled departure of the train.
1. These rules are called Railway Passengers (Cancellation of ticket and refund of fare) Rules.
2. Definitions. - In these rules, unless the context otherwise requires -
(a) “clerkage” means a charge levied by a railway administration for the clerical work rendered by it in the refund of fares;
(b) “destination station” means the station for which the ticket has been issued;
(c) “RAC ticket” means a ticket on which a seat has been reserved against requisition for a berth and a berth may be subsequently provided against cancellation, if any;
(d) “fare” includes basic fare, supplementary charge on superfast trains and reservation fee;
(e) “reserved ticket” means a journey ticket on which a berth or seat has been reserved;
(f) “reservation fee” means the charge, in addition to the fare, levied by the Railway administration for the reservation of a berth or seat;
(g) “station” means a railway station and includes other reservation offices or booking offices in the same city;
(h) “station master” means a railway employee, by whatever name called, having overall charge of a railway station and includes any other railway employee authorised to grant refund of fare at a Station;
(i) “ticket” means a single journey ticket or any half of a return ticket but does not include a season ticket, an Indrail Pass ticket or a special ticket for a reserved carriage or a tourist car or saloon, or a special train;
3. Station master to refund fares. -
(1) Subject to the other provisions of these rules, every refund of fare on unused unreserved ticket shall, when such ticket is presented for refund of fare to the station master of ticket issuing station, be granted by such station master after verifying the genuineness of the ticket from the record of the station.
(2) Subject to the other provisions of these rules, every refund of fare on reserved tickets, RAC tickets and wait-listed tickets shall, when such tickets are presented for refund of fare to the station master of ticket issuing station, be granted within the time limits prescribed in these rules, by such station master after verifying the genuineness of the tickets through computer or from the record of the station:
Provided that -
(a) in case of tickets which were issued for travel from a station other than the ticket issuing station, refund of fare shall be admissible at -
(i) the ticket issuing station, if the ticket is surrendered before the scheduled departure of the train from the station from where the ticket is valid for travel; and
(ii) the journey commencing station, if the ticket is surrendered within the time limits prescribed in these rules, and
(b) refund of fare may also be granted by the station master of a station other than the ticket issuing station and journey commencing station subject to the conditions that -
(i) the ticket is surrendered for refund of fare during working hours of the reservation office and before the preparation of reservation chart, of the concerned train, for the station from where the ticket is valid; and
(ii) the genuineness of the ticket and its particulars are verifiable at the refund granting station through computer or from record of the station.
4. Levy of clerkage. - Subject to the other provisions of these rules, station master shall levy a clerkage of rupees twenty per passenger for cancellation of unreserved or wait-listed or RAC tickets, except for second class unreserved tickets where the clerkage of rupees ten only shall be levied.
5. Unused tickets on which no reservation has been made. - If a ticket on which no reservation of a seat or berth has been made is presented to the station master for cancellation within three hours after the actual departure of the train for which the ticket is issued or for any ticket valid for the whole day, within three hours after the actual departure of the last train of the day for the destination station, refund of fare shall be made on every such ticket after deducting the clerkage.
6. Unused tickets on which reservation has been made. -
(1) Subject to the provisions of these rules, if a ticket on which reservation of a seat or berth has been made is presented by the passenger or his agent to a station master for cancellation, refund of fare shall be made after deducting cancellation charges from the fare as follows:-
(a) If the ticket is presented for cancellation more than twenty four hours before the scheduled departure of the train, the per passenger cancellation charge shall be deducted at a flat rate of Rupees seventy for air conditioned first class/executive class, Rupees sixty for air conditioned sleeper class/air conditioned 3-tier sleeper class/first class/air conditioned chair car, Rupees forty for sleeper class and Rupees twenty for second class;
(b) If the ticket is presented for cancellation between twenty four hours and four hours before the scheduled departure of the train, cancellation charge shall be Twenty five per cent of the fare subject to the minimum flat rate mentioned in clause (a);
(c) If the ticket is presented for cancellation within four hours before scheduled departure of the train and upto -
(i) three hours, when the ticket is for a destination station upto Two hundred Kilometres,
(ii) six hours, when the ticket is for a destination station of more than Two hundred Kilometres but upto Five hundred Kilometres, and
(iii) twelve hours, when the ticket is for a destination station of more than Five hundred Kilometres, after the actual departure of the train, cancellation charge shall be fifty per cent of the fare subject to the minimum flat rate mentioned in clause (a);
Provided that for night trains leaving between 21.00 hours and 06.00 hours (actual departure), refund shall be admissible at the station within the time limits specified above or within first four hours after the opening of reservation office, whichever is later.
(2) No refund shall be granted at the station if the ticket is surrendered for cancellation after the expiry of the period mentioned under clause (c) of sub-rule (1).
NOTE : In case, on a party ticket or a family ticket issued for travel of more than one person, some persons have confirmed reservation and others are on waiting list, full refund of fare, less clerkage, shall be admissible for confirmed passengers also provided that the entire ticket is surrendered for cancellation at the journey commencing station within four hours before the scheduled departure of the train and upto three hours after actual departure of the train.
7. Unused waitlisted or RAC tickets. -
(1) Subject to provisions of sub-rule (2), no cancellation charge shall be payable if a wait-listed or RAC ticket is presented for cancellation -
(i) upto three hours, when the ticket is for a destination station upto Two hundred Kilometres,
(ii) upto six hours, when the ticket is for a destination station of more than Two hundred Kilometres but upto Five hundred Kilometres, and
(iii) upto twelve hours, when the ticket is for a destination station of more than Five hundred Kilometres,after the actual departure of the train except for the deduction of the clerkage :
Provided that for night trains leaving between 21.00 hours and 06.00 hours (actual departure), refund shall be admissible at the station within the time limits specified above or within first four hours after the opening of reservation office, whichever is later.
(2) Where confirmed reservation has been provided to RAC or waitlisted ticket holder at any time upto the final preparation of reservation chart, such ticket shall be treated as a reserved ticket and cancellation charge shall be payable in accordance with rule 6.
8. Cancellation charges on multiple journey tickets – When an unused ticket involving more than one journey is surrendered for cancellation, the entire ticket shall be treated as one single journey ticket and refund of fare of the entire ticket, irrespective of reservation status of different laps of journeys, shall be granted as per reservation status of first lap of journey, as under:-
(i) if reservation status of first lap of journey is confirmed, refund shall be granted in accordance with rule 6; and
(ii) if reservation status of first lap of journey is RAC or waiting list, refund shall be granted , in accordance with rule 7.
Note: The cancellation charges or clerkage shall be levied only once on the entire amount of ticket and not separately for each lap of journey.
9. Postponement or preponement of journey on a reserved, RAC or waitlisted ticket-
(1) Postponement of journey:
(a) Confirmed Tickets: Postponement of journey on confirmed tickets shall be allowed in the same or any higher class, by any subsequent train on the same day or any subsequent day, for same or any longer destination, provided that :
(i) confirmed or RAC or waiting list accommodation is available in the train in which fresh reservation is required ;
(ii) fresh reservation fee for the class for which reservation is required is paid, in case of tickets surrendered during working hours and at least twenty four hours before the scheduled departure of the train in which originally booked ;
(iii) 25% fare of already booked ticket is paid as cancellation charges, in case of tickets surrendered during working hours and within twenty four hours and four hours before scheduled departure of the train in which originally booked ;
(iv) 50% fare of already booked ticket is paid as cancellation charges, in case of the tickets surrendered during working hours and within four hours before the scheduled departure and upto the maximum time limits mentioned in rule 6(i)(c) (i.e. three or six or twelve hours, depending on distance) after actual departure of the train in which originally booked ;
(b): RAC and Wait listed Tickets : Postponement of journey on RAC and Wait listed Tickets shall be allowed in the same or higher class, by any subsequent train on the same or any subsequent day, for same or any longer destination, provided that -
(i) confirmed or RAC or waiting list accommodation is available in the train in which fresh reservation is required ;
(ii) ticket is surrendered during working hours and upto the maximum time limits mentioned in rule 6(i)(c) (i.e. 3 or six or twelve hours, depending on distance) after actual departure of the train in which originally booked;
(iii) clerkage charge is paid;
(2) Preponement of journey: Preponement of journey on confirmed, RAC and wait listed tickets shall be allowed in the same or any higher class, by any earlier train on the same day or any earlier day, for same or any longer destination, provided that : -
(a) confirmed or RAC or waiting list accommodation is available in the train in which fresh reservation is required ;
(b) the ticket is surrendered during the working hours of the reservation office and at least six hours before the scheduled departure of the train in which reservation is required or before preparation of the reservation chart, whichever is later ;
(c) fresh reservation fee for the class for which reservation is required is paid, in case of preponement on confirmed tickets ; and
(d) clerkage charge is paid, in case of preponement on RAC and wait listed tickets;
(3) If there is difference in fares for originally booked journey and revised journey, the difference of fare shall be refunded or recovered, as the case may be, subject to the provisions of sub rule (1) and (2) of rule 9 above.
(4) Postponement or Preponement of journey under the sub-rule (1) or sub-rule (2) shall be allowed only once.
(5) The Postponement or Preponement of normal train ticket journeys will not be applicable against Tatkal Quota even on payment of Tatkal charges.
(6) If the ticket, on which journey has been altered under the sub-rules (1) or (2) is cancelled, cancellation charges shall be payable as follows : -
(a) cancellation charges as would have been due if the ticket for original reservation had been cancelled at the time of postponement or preponement of journey, and
(b) cancellation charges due in respect of ticket for altered reservation as if this altered reservation is a fresh reservation.
(c) In cases where 25% or 50% cancellation charges were realized at the time of modification of journey, the cancellation charges mentioned in clause (a) shall not be levied again and the cancellation charges mentioned in clause (b) only shall be levied.
10. Change of journey from lower class to higher class. -
(1) Change of reservation shall be allowed on a reserved ticket of lower class for higher class on the same train and day or when reserved for a seat in a class for reservation of a berth in the same class on the same train and day, without levying any cancellation charges but on payment of fresh reservation fee for higher class/berth, provided that -
(i) accommodation is available, and
(ii) the request for change is made -
(a) either during the working hours of reservation office and upto six hours before the scheduled departure of the train, or
(b) during the course of journey in the train.;
(2) The change referred to under sub-rule (1) shall be allowed only once
(3) If the ticket on which change of reservation has been allowed under sub-rule (1) is cancelled, cancellation charge shall be payable as follows, namely :-
(a) cancellation charge as would have been due if the original reservation had been cancelled at the time when the change of reservation was allowed; and
(b) cancellation charge due in respect of the altered reservation as if the altered reservation is a fresh reservation.
11. Non-commencement or missing of journey due to late running of trains. -
(1) No cancellation charge or clerkage shall be levied and full fare shall be refunded to all passengers holding reserved, RAC and waitlisted tickets, if the journey is not undertaken due to late running of the train by more than three hours of the scheduled departure of the train from the journey commencing station provided that the ticket is surrendered upto the maximum time limits prescribed in clause (c) of sub-rule (1) of rule 6.
(2) Where a passenger holding a ticket, with or without reservation, misses connection for continued journey by another train at any junction station owing to late running of the train by which he had been travelling, the fare for travelled portion shall be retained and the balance amount of ticket shall be refunded as the fare for untravelled portion, without levying any cancellation charge or clerkage, if he surrenders the ticket for such refund within three hours of the actual arrival of the train by which he had travelled. The refund shall be granted at the junction station.
12. Cancellation of tickets where railway administration is unable to provide accommodation. -
Where a railway administration is unable to provide accommodation for any reason whatsoever to passengers holding reserved tickets, no cancellation charge shall be levied and full refund of fare shall be granted to them if such tickets are surrendered for refund within three hours from the actual departure of the train:
Provided that when the train is cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances such as accidents, breaches and floods, the ticket is surrendered within three days excluding the scheduled day of departure of the train.
13. Partially used tickets. -
(1) Except as provided in these rules, no refund shall be granted at a station on a ticket on which part of the journey has been undertaken.
(2) Where a passenger terminates the journey enroute, a ticket deposit receipt shall be issued to the ticket holder by the station master of the station in lieu of surrender of the ticket and refund shall be admissible in terms of rule 21. In such cases, fare for the travelled portion shall be retained and the balance amount of the ticket shall be refundable as the fare for the untravelled portion of journey.
14. Discontinuation of journey due to dislocation of train services. -
(1) When a train journey is dislocated enroute due to unforeseen circumstances, such as accidents, breaches and floods, full fare for the entire booked journey without any deduction for the travelled portion and without levy of cancellation charge shall be refunded at the station at which the journey is terminated under the following circumstances :-
(a) when the railway is unable to carry the passenger to destination station within a reasonable time by arranging transhipment or diversion or otherwise; or
(b) when the passenger is involved in a railway accident and/or injured in the accident and does not continue his journey; or
(c) in the case of death or injury to a passenger in a railway accident, the kith and kin of the passenger have to terminate the journey.
(2) Where the railway administration offers to carry the passenger to his destination station by any diverted route or by arranging transhipment or otherwise, and the passenger is not willing to avail of such an alternative arrangement, fare for travelled portion shall be retained and the balance amount of ticket shall be refunded as the fare for untravelled portion, without levying any cancellation charges, at the station at which the journey has been terminated.
(3) Where the train journey is dislocated enroute due to bandhs, agitations or rail roko, fare for travelled portion shall be retained and the balance amount of ticket shall be refunded as the fare for untravelled portion, without levying any cancellation charges.
(4) If the trains, which have separate all-inclusive fare structure on point to point basis, are terminated at a non-scheduled stoppage of the train and the passenger is not willing to avail of the alternative arrangement made by the railway administration to carry the passenger to his destination station, fare for the distance travelled shall be retained based on the per kilometer fare of ticket and balance amount shall be refunded as the fare for untravelled portion of journey.
15. Refund of certain fare on failure to provide air-conditioning facility in air-conditioned coaches. -
(1) Where the air-conditioning facility could not be provided for a portion of journey, refund on tickets issued for air-conditioned coaches shall be granted for such portion on the following basis, namely :-
(a) if the ticket is for air-conditioned first class, the difference between the air-conditioned first class fare and first class fare;
(b) if the ticket is for air-conditioned sleeper/air-conditioned 3-tier sleeper class, the difference between air-conditioned sleeper/air-conditioned 3-tier sleeper class fare and sleeper class fare (Mail and Express);
(c) if the ticket is for air-conditioned chair car, the difference between air-conditioned chair car fare and second class fare (Mail and Express);
(d) if the ticket is for executive class, the difference between the notified executive class fare for the concerned section and the first class fare (Mail and Express) for the concerned distance of that section.
(2) The refund of difference of fare under sub-rule (1) shall be granted at the destination station on production of the ticket alongwith a certificate from the conductor or the guard or the travelling ticket examiner of the train giving particulars of the ticket, number of the coach and stations between which the air-conditioning facility was not provided, and is presented within twenty hours of arrival of the train.
16. When passengers are made to travel in lower class for want of accommodation. -
If the ticket holder of a higher class is made to travel in a lower class for want of accommodation in the class for which the ticket was issued, refund of the difference between the fare paid and the fare payable for the class in which it is actually used shall be granted at the destination station or at the originating station, as the case may be:
Provided that refund shall be granted at the destination station on production of a certificate from the conductor or the guard or the travelling ticket examiner of the train certifying that the holder of the ticket had to travel in a lower class for want of accommodation in the class for which it was issued and the ticket, alongwith the above certificate, is presented within two days of the date of issue of the certificate (excluding the date of issue of the certificate).
17. Lost, misplaced, torn or mutilated tickets. -
(1) No refund of fare in respect of a lost or misplaced ticket shall be granted.
(2) Refund of fare shall be granted in respect of a torn or mutilated ticket if its genuineness and authenticity are verifiable on the basis of the particulars visible on the face of the ticket.
(3) (i) If the reservation status of a lost, misplaced, torn or mutilated ticket, at the time of receipt of the application for issuance of a duplicate ticket for the purpose of undertaking journey, is reserved or RAC and that the duplicate ticket is sought before preparation of reservation chart of the concerned train, the station master shall issue a duplicate ticket in lieu of the original ticket on collection of the clerkage charge per passenger.
(ii) If a duplicate ticket in lieu of a lost or misplaced reserved ticket is sought after preparation of reservation chart of the concerned train, it shall be issued on collection of a charge equivalent to fifty per cent. of the total fare. Duplicate tickets shall, however, not be issued in respect of RAC tickets after preparation of reservation chart of the concerned train.
(iii) If duplicate ticket in lieu of a torn or mutilated reserved or RAC ticket is sought after preparation of reservation chart of the concerned train, it shall be issued on collection of a charge equivalent to Twenty five per cent of the total fare.
(iv) A duplicate ticket in respect of a party coach ticket or a special train ticket, shall be issued upto the time of departure of the train, on collection of a charge equivalent to ten per cent of the total fare.
(4) (i) No refund shall be granted in respect of charges collected under sub-rule (3) except in cases where the lost or misplaced ticket is traced after the issuance of a duplicate ticket and presented alongwith the duplicate ticket before departure of the train. The charges collected towards the issuance of duplicate ticket shall be refunded after deducting five per cent. thereof subject to a minimum deduction of rupees twenty. In case the journey is also not undertaken, the cancellation charges on the original ticket shall be determined as provided under these rules.
(ii) If the passenger, who has paid excess charges in train on account of his reserved ticket or RAC ticket being lost, misplaced, torn or mutilated, makes an application to a railway administration for grant of refund of the charges paid in train, the Chief Commercial Manager (Refunds) of that Railway administration may, after making such enquiry as he may deem necessary, grant refund of total charges realised in the train, after retaining the cancellation charges at fifty per cent. of a single journey ticket fare per passenger provided that no one has taken refund earlier on the original ticket.
18. Wait-listed passengers on concession and privilege ticket order tickets. –
When any person has purchased a ticket on any concessional order or privilege ticket order, and is wait-listed for reservation in any train, he shall be entitled to avail of the same ticket for reservation in any other train on the same date or any other date, without losing the benefit of concessional fare.
19. Unused portion of return tickets. –
(1) No refund shall be granted on the unused portion of the concessional return tickets.
(2) When a return ticket is issued without any concession, it shall be treated like two single journey tickets and the refund shall be granted accordingly.
20 Refund of fare on unused tickets and freight realised on luggage tickets in respect of luggage booked on the same ticket in case the journey is not undertaken. -
(1) Refund of freight on luggage shall be granted by the station master as under:
(a)
Luggage is with-drawn at starting station
Luggage ticket shall be cancelled and freight already collected shall be refunded after recovery of wharfage charges, if any, and deduction of cancellation charge of rupees five per luggage ticket. Journey ticket shall be endorsed to the effect.
(b) Luggage already
Dispatched from the starting station
Freight charges on weight admissible as free allowance shall be collected and remarks to this effect endorsed on journey ticket.
(2) On production of journey ticket on which luggage has been booked, the fare shall be refunded only if bearing the endorsement referred to in sub-rule (1) on the unused ticket after deducting the cancellation charges or clerkage as per rules.
21. Application for refund in other circumstances. -
For refund of fare under circumstances other than those specified in these rules or where refund is not admissible or granted at the station on account of expiry of time limits prescribed under these rules or otherwise, a Ticket Deposit Receipt shall be issued to the passenger in lieu of the surrendered ticket, at the station where ticket has been surrendered and the passenger may apply for refund, within ninety days from the day of commencement of journey, to the Chief Commercial Manager (Refunds) of the railway administration under whose jurisdiction the Ticket Deposit Receipt issuing station comes, enclosing the original Ticket Deposit Receipt. Ticket Deposit Receipt shall be issued only upto thirty days after the scheduled departure of the train.
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