To tap the potential of the tourism sector and to leverage the core strengths of the professionals of the tourism sector in tourism activities like marketing, hospitality, integration of services, reach with the customer base, expertise in development /identification of tourist circuits, etc, Indian Railways is planning to spread Rail based tourism among masses through leasing of coaching stock to interested parties to run them as theme-based cultural, religious and other Tourist Circuit train.

Broad features of the Proposed Model:-

• Leasing of coaches as per the desired configuration of interested parties. Bare shells may also be taken on lease. Outright purchase of coaches can also be done.
• Minor refurbishment of coaches is permitted.
• Leasing is to be done for a minimum period of 5 years and extendable till codal life of coaches.
• Minimum train composition for leasing purposes as per policy guidelines.
• Interested party to develop/decide business model (routes, itinerary, tariff, etc).
• The simple registration process for interested parties is based on eligibility criteria.
• Indian Railways will levy haulage charges, nominal stabling charges, and lease charges. (No lease charges for outright purchase).

Other Features :

• Priority in punctuality.
• Timely approvals for coach refurbishment and itineraries.
• No haulage for maintenance runs.
• Third-party advertising allowed inside the train, Branding of train permitted.

An Executive Director level committee has been constituted by the Ministry of Railways to formulate the policy and terms and conditions.

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