Mysuru: The operation of South India’s only luxury train- Karnataka’s Golden Chariot is making huge losses leaving the Karnataka State Tourism Development Corporation (KSTDC) in a fix. Since its inception in March 2008, the KSTDC incurred losses to the tune of more than Rs 40 crore. Keeping this in mind, the government is not only coming out with an attractive design of the train and facilities but is also thinking of coming out with various attractive packages to get more tourists.
Only 35 per cent of the train capacity is utilised at an average in each trip that covers many heritage places right from Hampi to Mysuru. Due to high haulage charges from Railways, which is, in fact, more than the net revenue from the train and due to less patronage, the KSTDC has been incurring loss. The golden chariot, which began operations as a joint venture between Karnataka government and railway ministry has 19 luxury cabins. The KSTDC was paying somewhere between Rs 50 lakh to Rs 55 lakh per trip, which was higher than the total revenue the corporation was getting from the sale of ticket.
S R Mahesh, Tourism Minister who inspected Golden Chariot Train at Central Workshop in Ashokapuram where the train had come for periodic overhauling said that efforts will be made to package Golden Chariot in an attractive manner so as to attract more takers. Apart from overhauling there were some technical problems including air conditioning, fitting of bio toilet and replacing the glass sheet with proper visible glasses.
May not be on track during Dasara
Every year the Golden Chariot starts during Dasara, but unfortunately this year, it may not be on track by the resplendent Dasara due to overhauling and other issues.
“The contract for the new operator will be given and the contract will be designed in such a way that we will not make loss. We want to come out with a profitable model; we have changed the design of the contract with more occupancy. The contract will give preference to those who are having contact with the international agency,” said Kumar Pushkar, Managing Director, Karnataka State Tourism Development Corporation.
Golden Chariot
It’s a luxury tourist train which connects tourists spots including Karnataka, Goa, Kerala, Kerala and Tamil Nadu. Usually, it is operated between October and March every year. The train has many high-end services including air conditioner, free internet, television, attached bathroom, two restaurant cars with bar, spa and a guest lounge. The tour is for seven nights and eight days. The total distance of the tour is more than 1500km.
