Karnataka's 'Palace on Wheels' still off-track

The proposed 'Palace on Wheels' in Karnataka is likely to be delayed further due to non-availability of funds. The project is being kept in abeyance as the state government is yet to release its share of funds.

The cost of the project had been estimated at Rs 32 crore. While the Centre and the Indian Railways have released their share of Rs 8 crore each for the project, the Karnataka government is yet to release its share which is Rs 16 crore, according to L Shanthakumari, principal secretary, Department of Information, Tourism & Youth Services.

As per the memorandum of understanding signed between the railways and the Karnataka government in December 2002, the railways had agreed to run a luxury tourist train in the state on the lines of the Palace on Wheels in the Rajasthan sector. The service was scheduled to start operations in early 2005.

Speaking to Business Standard, Shanthakumari said that the train will cover a distance of about 2,155 km starting from Bangalore and pass through Mysore, Hassan, Hospet (Hampi), Belgaum, Londa, Madagaon (Goa), Mangalore and return to Bangalore.

"The carriages are presently being built. We expect the train to be on-track within the next six months," she said, provided the state government pays up its share soon.

The train, which will run throughout the year, is likely to have 18 coaches including 11 air conditioned saloon cars, one air conditioned bar car, one conference car, one air conditioned restaurant car, one staff car and two power cars, according to the railways.

The booking of train tickets and hospitality services are proposed to be marketed by the Karnataka State Tourism Development Corporation. Though the train's tariff is yet to be fixed, it is likely to be around Rs 1,000 per head, Shanthakumari said.

"Once the project materialises, the tourism sector in the state will get a big boost and help the government fully utilise the tourism potential in the state," she said.

Growth of tourism was slow in the state due to a lack of funds. The tourism department gets only Rs 36 crore annually as against a requirement of Rs 50 crore a year.

Stating that there is a lot of work to be done to promote Karnataka as a tourist destination, she revealed that for the first time the department is spending Rs 1 crore on an advertisement campaign to be aired on television channels like the BBC, CNN, Discovery and National Geographic by the end of October to promote tourism in the state.

The government has already commenced massive publicity campaign across the country to attract tourists for Mahamasthakabhisheka.