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Deccan Odyssey to hit the tracks soon: The Pioneer
Mumbai, Oct 22: Come November, the splendorous luxury train `Deccan Odyssey` will have finally hit the tracks, taking the tourists through the vast stretches of virgin beaches and exposing them to historic forts along the picturesque Konkan coast line.
Mumbai, Oct 22: Come November, the splendorous luxury train "Deccan Odyssey" will have finally hit the tracks, taking the tourists through the vast stretches of virgin beaches and exposing them to historic forts along the picturesque Konkan coast line.
It will also give them a glimpse of Goa, walk them through the erstwhile capital of Marathas, familiarise them with the heritage-rich Aurangabad, let them have a close look at the ancient Ajanta and Ellora caves and treat them to rich and tasty wines at the Nashik wineries.
"Raat ko khao piyo, din ko nazare dekho" is the concept of a five-star travel project devised mainly to attract the foreign tourists. Christened as the Deccan Odyssey Train Project, the venture will be jointly implemented by the Ministry of Railways, Government of India and Maharashtra. It is an odyssey that the Maharashtra Tourism Ministry has been preparing for the last four years. The authorities are banking heavily on the project, which, they are confident, will make Maharashtra "the tourist destination" in the country in the months to come.
Modelled along the country's two other premium luxury trains - Royal Orient (managed by Gujarat Tourism Ministry) and Palace on Wheels (managed by Rajasthan Tourism Ministry), the Deccan Odyssey is ready for its inaugural journey. Some time in November, Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee will flag off the train from the Chhatrapathi Shivaji Terminus in Mumbai. "We're waiting for a date from the Prime Minister to start the train," says Deputy Chief Minister Chhagan Bhujbal, who also holds the Tourism portfolio.
That the Deccan Odyssey has already gone on the international tourist map can be gauged from the fact that 15 international tourist operators have already made registrations with the Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC) by paying $10,000 each. "Once we start the train service, we expect a very large turn out of foreign tourists in the State," says Mr Bhujbal. The Rs 32-crore train, built at the Chennai-based Integral Coach Factory, has a five-star ambience. The 21-coach train, which has 13 saloons, can accommodate 96 passengers in different compartments. Of the coaches, 11 are for passengers - six being double-bed cabin cars, two are twin bed cabin cars and one is reserved for physically-challenged passengers.
The other coaches among other things consist of two restaurants, a bar, conference room, health car, staff car and two power cars. The fully-airconditioned train has "you name it, it has it" facilities - lounge in each coach, intercom, attached toilets, ward robes, writing desks, on-board gym and health spa, Internet and mobile connectivity, close circuit televisions, multi-channel music, multi-cuisine restaurants, a well-stocked bar, a liquor store and a business centre. The seven-day journey on the Maharashtra marvel begins on every Wednesday. Here is itinerary of the odyssey: Board the train at Mumbai's CST and an evening of wining and dining waiting aboard the train. Next day, the passengers will disembark at the Ukashi station, nestled amid breathtaking mountains and scenic backwaters. The tourists will be taken by road in air-conditioned deluxe buses to best of beaches and forts at Jaigad, Ganpathipule, Ratnagiri and Bhatlye. Here the tourists will have joy boat-rides and be treated to Konkan cuisine. On Friday, tourists will visit the Sindhudurg fort and are allowed to laze away their time at Tarkarli beach resort. Day four will be Goa - where tourists will be taken old churches and places of importance. After having tasted the night life of Goa, the caravan will head for Pune. On Sunday, the tourists will visit the early home of Maratha warrior Chhatrapati Shivaji. Later in the day, they will be exposed to the legacy left by Peshwas, Acharya Rajneesh's Osho Ashram and Yoga expert B K S Iyengar's institute. Day six will be spent at Aurangabad. The highlight of the day is a visit to the Ellora caves. Next day, tourists will visit the Ajanta caves and walk through grape farms and wineries of Nashik. The evening is reserved for tasting the best of wines and dining in the salubrious enviorns. The Deccan Odyssey over, the tourists will head to Mumbai on Wednesday morning. For the seven-day journey, the MTDC will charge Rs 17,500 per person per night. The revenue generated will be shared equally by the Centre and the Maharashtra Government.
Modelled along the country's two other premium luxury trains - Royal Orient (managed by Gujarat Tourism Ministry) and Palace on Wheels (managed by Rajasthan Tourism Ministry), the Deccan Odyssey is ready for its inaugural journey. Some time in November, Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee will flag off the train from the Chhatrapathi Shivaji Terminus in Mumbai. "We're waiting for a date from the Prime Minister to start the train," says Deputy Chief Minister Chhagan Bhujbal, who also holds the Tourism portfolio.
That the Deccan Odyssey has already gone on the international tourist map can be gauged from the fact that 15 international tourist operators have already made registrations with the Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC) by paying $10,000 each. "Once we start the train service, we expect a very large turn out of foreign tourists in the State," says Mr Bhujbal. The Rs 32-crore train, built at the Chennai-based Integral Coach Factory, has a five-star ambience. The 21-coach train, which has 13 saloons, can accommodate 96 passengers in different compartments. Of the coaches, 11 are for passengers - six being double-bed cabin cars, two are twin bed cabin cars and one is reserved for physically-challenged passengers.
The other coaches among other things consist of two restaurants, a bar, conference room, health car, staff car and two power cars. The fully-airconditioned train has "you name it, it has it" facilities - lounge in each coach, intercom, attached toilets, ward robes, writing desks, on-board gym and health spa, Internet and mobile connectivity, close circuit televisions, multi-channel music, multi-cuisine restaurants, a well-stocked bar, a liquor store and a business centre. The seven-day journey on the Maharashtra marvel begins on every Wednesday. Here is itinerary of the odyssey: Board the train at Mumbai's CST and an evening of wining and dining waiting aboard the train. Next day, the passengers will disembark at the Ukashi station, nestled amid breathtaking mountains and scenic backwaters. The tourists will be taken by road in air-conditioned deluxe buses to best of beaches and forts at Jaigad, Ganpathipule, Ratnagiri and Bhatlye. Here the tourists will have joy boat-rides and be treated to Konkan cuisine. On Friday, tourists will visit the Sindhudurg fort and are allowed to laze away their time at Tarkarli beach resort. Day four will be Goa - where tourists will be taken old churches and places of importance. After having tasted the night life of Goa, the caravan will head for Pune. On Sunday, the tourists will visit the early home of Maratha warrior Chhatrapati Shivaji. Later in the day, they will be exposed to the legacy left by Peshwas, Acharya Rajneesh's Osho Ashram and Yoga expert B K S Iyengar's institute. Day six will be spent at Aurangabad. The highlight of the day is a visit to the Ellora caves. Next day, tourists will visit the Ajanta caves and walk through grape farms and wineries of Nashik. The evening is reserved for tasting the best of wines and dining in the salubrious enviorns. The Deccan Odyssey over, the tourists will head to Mumbai on Wednesday morning. For the seven-day journey, the MTDC will charge Rs 17,500 per person per night. The revenue generated will be shared equally by the Centre and the Maharashtra Government.