India’s Oldest Luxury Train ‘Palace on Wheels’ Begins New Journey from New Delhi
New Delhi, India – India’s luxurious and oldest heritage train, ‘Palace on Wheels,’ has started its first journey for this tourism season from New Delhi Safdarjung Railway Station. The train was flagged off by Rajasthan Tourism Development Corporation (RTDC) Managing Director Sushma Arora, Executive Director Rajendra Singh Shekhawat, and Managing Director of the private company operating the train, O&M, Bhagat Singh Lohagarh, along with Director Pradeep Bohra.
This year, 32 passengers from various countries, including the US, UK, Spain, Australia, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Ukraine, Poland, and India, have embarked on this royal journey. The train can accommodate up to 82 passengers at a time.
RTDC’s Managing Director Sushma Arora expressed her excitement, stating, “It is a moment of happiness for all of us as ‘Palace on Wheels,’ which is the pride of Rajasthan, is ready to embark on its first journey for this tourist season.” The train will first reach Jaipur on Thursday morning, followed by Sawai Madhopur.
RTDC’s Executive Director Rajendra Singh Shekhawat highlighted the train’s long history since 1982 and emphasized Rajasthan’s famous hospitality. He said, “Every guest or tourist in Rajasthan is welcomed with the feeling of Atithi Devo Bhava, and the royal train also rides on this principle.”
Bhagat Singh Lohagarh, Managing Director of O&M, discussed the train’s design, which reflects the themes of Raj Gharanas in Rajasthan. He mentioned, “The renovation of the train differs from previous years, and people are really excited to embark on this journey.”
Passengers on the train also shared their excitement. Madana Gopal from Chennai said, “I am looking forward to the journey and I am very excited to see the decor.” Pooja and Ajay Joshi, a couple traveling on the train, expressed how it had been a long-time dream for them.
The train will cover eight cities in seven days: Jaipur, Sawai Madhopur, Chittorgarh, Udaipur, Jaisalmer, Jodhpur, Bharatpur, and Agra. Launched in 1982, ‘Palace on Wheels’ was a joint initiative of Indian Railways and Rajasthan Tourism Development Corporation and has significantly boosted Rajasthan tourism.
Doubts Revealed
Palace on Wheels -: The ‘Palace on Wheels’ is a very fancy and old train in India that looks like a royal palace inside. It started running in 1982 and is famous for its beautiful Rajasthani design and luxury services.
New Delhi -: New Delhi is the capital city of India. It’s a big and important city where many government buildings and historical places are located.
Rajasthan Tourism Development Corporation -: The Rajasthan Tourism Development Corporation (RTDC) is a group that helps promote and manage tourism in the state of Rajasthan. They make sure tourists have a good experience when they visit.
O&M -: O&M stands for Operations and Maintenance. In this context, it refers to the people who take care of the train and make sure everything runs smoothly.
Rajasthani-themed design -: Rajasthani-themed design means the train’s interiors are decorated in a style that represents the culture and traditions of Rajasthan, a state in India known for its rich history and colorful art.
five-star amenities -: Five-star amenities are very high-quality services and facilities, like those you would find in a top luxury hotel. This includes things like fancy rooms, delicious food, and excellent service.
boosting Rajasthan tourism -: Boosting Rajasthan tourism means helping more people visit and enjoy the state of Rajasthan. This can help the local economy by bringing in more money from tourists.
