Maharaja Express to be introduced in south India from next year

Panaji: The world's most expensive luxury train 'Maharaja Express' in southern India en-route Goa, Maharashtra and Kerala from the monsoon season next year, Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu said Friday.

"There is ample scope for tourism in Goa and (the) Konkan belt. I have asked (the) Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation Limited (IRCTC) to introduce world's most expensive luxury train 'Maharaja Express' in southern India covering Goa, Maharashtra and Kerala," he said.

He laid the foundation stone for new railway line crossing at Kharepatan in Maharashtra via video conferencing.

The minister said plans are to make sure that by next year, 'Maharaja Express' which has won several awards for four consecutive years as the world's best luxury train should make trips in Goa during the monsoon season.

According to Prabhu, this will help to attract high end tourists to Goa.

"The travel by this train is very expensive and hence will attract high-end tourist and generate revenue for railway as well as (the) state," Prabhu said, adding the train will help in generating employment and revenue for the state.

The Minister further said the Konkan Railway Corporation Limited (KRCL) will have ten more railway stations along the Goa, Konkan, Karnataka and Kerala route for which Rs 150 crore will be spend.

"Konkan Railway is not only important for the belt but today it serves as important lifeline to the people of Goa, Konkan, Karnataka and Kerala," Prabhu said.